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ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 



A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 



PLATOS VERSION. 



By JOHN PENNIE, Jr 



ILLUSTRATED. 



ALBANY, N. Y. : 
,1. B. LYON COMPANY, PRINTERS. 

1901. 



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THF ' BftARV OF 

CC^fiReSS. 
1^ Cor-.E.a Received 

SEP. 10 1901 

CopvrigmT entry 
CLASS OU XXc. N». 

COPY a. 



Copyright, 1901. 



JOHN PENNIE, Jr. 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



Academy at Athens ....-- Frontispiece 

Olympic Games at Athens, 1896 ------ vi 

Aurora ----------- 1 

Original Olym^iic Uames ...-..- 2 

Trial of Orpheus --------- 23 

Orpheus and Eurydice - - 25 

Offering- Doves to Venus 38 

Apollo and the Muses ....... 29 

The Argo Passing the Isles of Sirens ----- 36 

Festival at Athens - - - - - - - - 40 ' 

Athens as it was ------ - - - 44 

Death of Eurydice - - - 46 

Funeral of Eurydice -------- 48 

Bust of Homer --------- 67 

Bacchanalian Procession ----- 78, 79, 84 

Birth of Venus --------- 83 

Nymphs Decorating the Statue of Bachus - - - - 83 

Death of Orpheus - - - - . - - - - 91 

Tomb of Orpheus .-..-.-- 93 

Bust of Plato -...----- 94 

Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo, 1901 - - - - 96 



5 oX^ o?o?o 5 oi;^ op^ ^S W 



INTRODUCTION PREFACF 

BY THE AUTHOR 

To ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE 

A GREEK OPERATIC TRAGEDY 

It is not meters, but meter-making argument, that makes 
a poem. — Emerson. 

Beixg fully aware herein, of the height I have at- 
tempted to climb, and emboldened by expressed 
opinions of friends presumed to have competent 
knowledge of the subject, the following version of 
the poem " Orpheus and Eurydice "' is submitted to 
the public with some confidence of their approval. 

As the Olympic Games have been reproduced at 
Paris and will be again at Athens and other cities, it 
seems to prove a trend towards Greek thought in 
literature — a revival of its drama and fable. 

The Death of Orpheus, an epic poem, was written 
by Homer about the year 900 p.. c. Additions were 
made by Plato 400 n. c, and some supposed errors 
corrected by x-\ristotle at request of Alexander the 
Great, 330 b. c. 

An epic poem (defined) should contain a complete 
subject. Ancient, historical, and descriptive mainly 
of tragic events, founded on facts — embellished with 
fiction — should be rendered in suitable language 
quaintly expressed, harmonious in song, if operatic 
— should be instructive, philosophic, and moral, with 
strong probability and natural expression. 

(v) 



vi introductjOn preface. 

Strict rules in composition are pedantic ; better 
with some errors than hypercritically perfect. An 
epic poem should move the passions and affections 
with elegant and appropriate thoughts and incidents. 
The author takes the liberty of inserting his own 
comments and probabilities as to the real and fabu- 
lous |)arts therein. The hypercritic muse may insist 
the measure be exact — yet knows repeated couplets 
tire the ear and detract from nature's common sense. 

The author, notwithstanding what others have 
written, ventures and submits this, his version of 
what Plato is supposed to have said in repeating this 
ancient story of Orpheus and Eurydice, which he is 
presumed to narrate before the assembled scholars at 
the Odeum — the great theater near the Parthenon 
at Athens. Likewise with some additions, amend- 
ments, and comments in some degree therein con- 
nected, including The Argonautic Expedition, The 
Delian Festival, The Olympic Games, The Demise of 
Eurydice. the Bacchanalian Feast, and The Death of 
Orpheus. 

From the following historical record, " Orpheus of 
Thrace was historian of the Voyage of the Argo — 
successor of Apollo, received from him the harp and 
lyre as poet, bard, and orator. Upon the Argo's re- 
turn he was to marry Eurydice ; but upon the day, 
as the tale was told, she died by the sting of a serpent 
— in point of fact, caused by excess of joy upon see- 
ing him crowned by the Judges at the Olympic Arena. 
His sorrow thereby caused him apparently to slight 
and look with contempt upon the women of Thrace, 
who, in revenge, tore him to pieces under the excite- 
ment of a Bacchanalian Revel." 

" The Death of Orpheus " has been put on canvas, 
and is one cf the most celebrated masterpieces of 



INTRODUCTION PREFACE. vii 

French art. It was painted by Emil Levy, at Paris, 
in 1878. It has been engraved by Gonpil & Co., and 
published with other superb French and Cierman 
masterpieces of two volumes each by Gebbie & Co., 
of Philadelphia, Pa., copyrighted. Inserted herein 
by iiermission. The painting is in the Luxeml^urg 
(iallery. Paris. 

The author gives thanks to David McKay, Esq., 
publisher of " Bulfinch's Age of Fable and Beauties 
of Mythology," revised by the Rev. J. L. Scott, D. I)., 
of Philadelphia, Pa. (a most excellent work), for per- 
mission to use herein some of its illustrations. 

To a certain extent chronological data is ignored 
herein. Historical incidents in the Heroic Age of 
Greece, even to the fifth century b. c, are unreliable. 
The poets have made the same (true or false) highly 
interesting, classic, and delightful. 

The author ventures without fear, as " Jason of the 
Argo " and his compeers, an attempt to capture, if not 
a " Golden fleece." He hopes to give at least some 
pleasure to those who may read this Grecian story 
reproduced, with a more plausible history in an entire 
new dress. 

Fable elucidations bear pleasing explanations ; they 
are the ornaments used by the poets. The mythologi- 
cal are thus understood. 

JOHN PENNIE, Jr. 



viii IKTRODUCTfON PREFACE. 

The following gratifying indorsements of friends are 
published by consent. 

J. P., Jr. 



"University of Illinois, 

" President's Office. 
" My Dear Mr. Pennie : 

"/ /liwe read your version of Homer s poem, ^OrpJieus 
and Eurydice,' f/iroi/i:^/i loif/i j^reaf pleas in-e and continued 
interest. 

" T/ie fascinating story //as been reproduced bx von in a 

way to interest tJie casual reader and man of affairs.^ * ^ 

"/ cannot refrain from expressing surprise that you are 

able to apply your mind to suc/i highly exacting literary 

effort. 

''With best regards, I am sincerely yours, 

"ANDREW S. DRAPER." 



"Albany, N, Y., May 3, 1891. 
" My Dear Mr. Pennie : 

"/ listened with great interest to the reading of your 
version of Homer s poem, 'Orpheus and Eurydice, wonder- 
ing all the time how it li'as possible that one who has given 
his whole life to mercantile pursuits could find time and 
pleasure in this occupation, displaying mental activities and 
labors creditable to known literary men and scholars. 

''I congratulate you upon the possessio/i of powers I had 
not anticipated. 

" With great regard, your friend, 

"MAURICE E. VIELE." 



INTRODUCTION PREFACE. ix 

"Albany, N. Y., Afaj, 1901. 
"Mr. John Pp:nnik : 

'Dear Sir. — Having read your version of Homer s 
epic poem ^ '' Orpheus and Ei/rvdiee,' and being familiar with 
Greelz literafu/'e, icith its theo/ogy, etc., I commend xour 
admirable production. It is both pleasing, natural, compre- 
hensive and complete. 

''''The storv is told bv vou as bei/ig delivered by Plato 
before the students at Athens in presence of Socrates. This 
is cleverly brought about and is soj?ieivhat nerc in literature. 

''The explanat(>rY remarks introduced bx xou at differe/it 
stages of the poem, give it animation, connection and historic 
interest. 

'''It is an art productio/i of co/isiderable merit. It is 
Grecian thought in action and tragedy, such as Plato in 
part might use and recite before the scholars at the Lyceum, 
as set forth by you, I pronounce it highly tragic, dramatici 
musical and poetic, enlivened, likewise, 7i.nth comedy of a 
high order. I believe it will, if published, be highly appre- 
ciated upon its literary merits. 

"Yours very truly, 

"P. J. WALLACE." 



INSCRIBED 

WITH PARENTAL AFFECTION 
TO 
JOHr*; C. F»ENNIJE 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 

Of Union " K. A." Class '"jj. 

GoTTfNGEN, '79. 

Breslau, 1880. 
(xi) 



2 > 



o W 





AURORA (RENI). 



GRECIAN TRAGEDY 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE 

At Athens, as announced, Plato* appears before 
the audience in the Great Hall, the Odeum, to repeat 
the Homeric story of Orpheus and Eurydice, Socrates 
presiding, who, as a prelude, said : 

" The Argonauts dispersed the pirates of the Eux- 
ine, and to commerce opened the Danube's mouths ; 
Orpheus as diplomat, poet, and historian, upon his re- 
turn, relates the adventures of the Argo and its suc- 
cessful voyage before the multitude and judges at the 
Olympic games and won the olive crown." 

Plato had a full audience as he stood before the 
Athenian scholars, and, in easy, flowing measure, 
said : " Orpheus, famed of old, admired of Apollo. 
The sweet singer, having received the Ivre from 
his hand as his most worthy successor, whose touch 

* Plato, a most illustrious philosopher of antiquity, died at 
Athens, 348 b. c, age 81. His language beautiful and correct, 
and his philosophy sublime. 

I (I) 



A GRECIAN TRAGEDY 




ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 3 

produced such liaruiony with soug aud voice at- 
tuned, that the animate and inanimate of earth, the 
very rocks and verdure of the fields, the woods and 
birds therein, dehghted moved or silent was, listen- 
ing" to sweeter, more attractive songs than theirs, with 
a flow of melody more continuous ; so that the wild 
became tame, approached, and fain would leave their 
native haunts to domesticate with him. 

His music, voice and song detained Diana's 
Nymphs when on their way to worship at the Temple 
of Delos, causing them to halt, to leave the chase, 
and her of whom we speak was captive made, and 
broke her vow, alas ! as a novice of Diana's. 

'Tis said Orpheus' music was so divine to the ear 
that Hermes could but approve Apollo's choice in 
him. Luna nightly shone more bright when with his 
harp he sang. The Muses acquiesced, conceding that 
such rendition held the key to the heart, sciences and 
affections, and was irresistible. Calliope, his mother, 
viewing from the Shades, joyed that her early teach- 
ings were not in vain. But alas ! as sounds, those with 
sweetest voices cease to speak, the heart and harp 
hath a broken string. He died — was slain. 

The tale will many a repetition bear. Ages have 
passed since then, but Grecian maidens still adore 
him, when e'er they hear his name or speak of love, 
and sigh, and say, ' we know not such an other ! ' 

The Muses weep for such as he (the pure of earth) 
there are so few. 

Thev buried him on Mount (Jlympus, near Heaven 
his place of birth, and in soothing plaint, Philomela 
sings above, as if to call him back again. 

The zephyrs, sweep with joy through the vale, to 
join the echo of his anthem, sung on Mount Olympus, 
where Juno in beauty reigns and Jupiter presides. 



4 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

Orpheus' music is still heard therein (the resort of the 
Gods). There A enus, Love and Hymen come, to rest 
in its shady walks. There had Orpheus played and 
sang his sonnets — his mystical hymns to the Gods. 
Hymns now held sacred : there, at first, Eurydice met 
him — ' Dawn of brightness ! ' attracted thither, not 
by sound of harp or lyre, entire — 'twas more, 'twas 
early love. Its discovery gave mutual joy, tho' should 
its flame increase the shrine and Diana will be of- 
fended — the sisterhood of Delos be shock'd. 

But Orpheus' life and death will tell us what of 
music, what of love — their power and possibilities, 
that mortals may perceive and admit the divine 
therein, and adore the first great cause thereof; be- 
lieve, and feel that all his works and laws are highest 
harmony, sweetest music, purest love, displayed on 
earth to prepare us for Elysium. Such belief should 
soothe sorrow's: wounds, give valor to the sons of Mars, 
and cause the tongue to praise, and with eloquence to 
flow. Music rendered by Orpheus did awake the old 
heroes, and recall the wild music of the onset; that 
they would again shout their defiant cry of victory. 
What, tho' later came, alas ! music's voice in the 
measured tread — the muffled drum, the requiem and 
dirge. 

This recognition of valor, tho' rendered late, will 
ever be a solemn offering, that the Gods may accept ; 
such, contented die. as wounded, they listen to the 
martial airs — the music and the valor told in the old 
songs of his native land. 

Such heroes — such sacrifices great Zeus will not 
despise. In brief, thus sang Orpheus before the poets 
and Grecian warriors at the Olympic games ; and thus 
obtained his fame, as successor of Apollo in music, 
song and eloquence (terms synonymous) so said they, 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 5 

the Judges, as they the oUve crown awarded ; so said 
they who l)ore him otif triumphant, mid shouts and 
loud acclaims. 

That envied prize obtained was the climax of his 
prosperity — the }kluses' halo — the brow encircled 
poet's fame — won, with smiles and words of praise 
that the ambitious seek, and friends and loving hearts 
give, extol and venerate. 

Effort to excel, pervade the strong of soul — for 
fame, for right and nation. Orpheus strove for these, 
but not for fame alone. He had returned to Athens 
for love, to claim that, that is admitted to be, the most 
agreeable delight to man — the possession of a lov- 
ing and beloved object ; such was to him Eurydice. 

He had, with eye and ear, inhaled the music of the 
spheres : — those discernings were hereditary, his ; to' 
him they pervade all nature in the germ, in the bud 
and blossom, in the spring winds piping through the 
reeds, in the gurgling of the waters from fen and 
creek, by the way, loitering, lapping wave on wave, 
that kiss each other and purer pursue their travel to 
the broad waters, whose splash and spray reveal their 
light prismatic colors — so, in the grand, boundless 
billows of the ocean, in the storm and calm, in the 
gentle rain and in the torrent, in the warm and 
glorious sun, and 'neath the placid moon, in their 
light and shade, that tinge and illume the mountains 
and the valleys. They were to him more glorious, 
more sacred than all the man-carved gods of deluded 
worshipers. They have no terror, for they delight, 
they adorn the earth, and in their never-ending change 
give happiness to man. Roar Boreas, the earth's ex- 
tremes are thine; drive the clouds, tear the sail, or 
with gentle sweep blush the ripening grain. Come 
Neptune ! with thy white mountains crowd thy way 



6 A GRECIAN TifAGEDY. 

to the currents that flow beneath ; carry thy frozen 
bulk to warmer waters, and take the finny shoals re- 
freshment, the walrus and the seal will not complain — 
monsters of the deep, throw aloft thy spray of brine, 
from depths unfathom'd brought — sing, birds of 
every zone ; feather'd friends, come, sip from boun- 
teous Nature's store ; and fiercer creatures (that pro- 
vide for thine own with much solicitude) come, eat 
and slake thy thoats and live. Bright orbs, with thy 
wandering or fixed light, beyond the blue, that were 
guides of the Argo, rejoice, twinkle thy delight, shine 
and speak thy praises to Nature's God — his music of 
the spheres — his harmony sublime and love divine. 

No stranger was Orpheus to the parts therein — 
he knew each bud and blossom, their seed and harvest 
time ; he knew the birds that come and go — the sea- 
gulls, the swift of wing, and the twitterers, their calls 
and carols, whistles and cooings ; for, in imitation, if 
he but called or sang, they seemed to know his voice, 
and fearless came ; where e'er he moved they followed, 
nearer came to listen and to wonder, so that the woods 
were all in motion with charmed appreciation ; some, 
in joy, essayed to wreath in circles with expanded 
wings above his head, as tho' in act awarding in 
mimicrv a crown, such as the judges give at the 
Olympic games to the victorious. Eurydice once (a 
happy time) plaited such a wreath, with leaves and 
flowers, aided by other clorises, and in merry frolic 
crowned him, as tho' foretelling an event- — it was be- 
fore he sailed with Jason on the Argo — and many 
joyous voices chorally applauded ; tho' other maidens, 
standing by, amazed were — not daring, tho' envying 
— they felt that she was in possession ; that Orpheus' 
heart was hers ; that she held the will of him she loved. 
The maidens kindly smiled and congratulations 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 7 

whispered — could he not indite the choruses (the 
mystic hymns), render the oratorios of ApoHo, and 
the senses charm to acquiescence, and love invite. 

But now, maidens, novices and friends were prepar- 
ing for the Delian feast, for a journey to Delos, and 
little Terpsichores came, like dancing" skiffs, with fruits 
and rtowers, from many a garden and cove put out, to 
the Great Barge, to join the goodly throng. The soft 
music, perfume of flowers and gaudy colors did show 
that not a fear or cloud was near, as they, towards 
Delos departed from the Pirseus. 

The ( )lympiad more than half its time had sped, 
since the sailing of the Argo. 

To be in reserve, alid to escape importunities, 
Eurydice now lingered long at the shrine of Diana, 
until with her nymphs her name had been enrolled, 
but sighs and anxious thoughts would come — an 
orphan, no mother in whom to confide. * * * 
The serious, who contemplate the changes and frail- 
ties of life, its feting, joys, have intuition of superior 
things, more perfect than those of earth — she thought 
to find them at Diana's shrine, and at first was noted, 
apt, impressive, and as most devout. But she ever 
thought of him upon the sea, even when in the midst 
thereof it would intrude. 

Oh ! that he had not been away ! In her heart love 
had been pleading — throbbing all the day — mingling 
with each thought, until at night love sang soft and 
low to Venus : 

To Venus: 

Time: " Henry has gone to the wars." 

All my joys, with my lover, are gone; 

His absence has saddened my face. 
But I bade him seek fame and begone 

To be victor, and first in the race. 



8 A GRECIAN, TRAGEDY. 

I was pleased that so fondly he said 

I sail on the Argo for Fame 
But, when I return, we will wed 

If thy hand and thy heart I may claim." 

And Neptune has borne him away 

And they say that he ruleth the sea, 
Then why should he not, if I pray. 

Return my heart's treasure to me? 

The gardens, the groves and the bowers 

I visit no more to admire; 
I care not to gather the flowers. 

For Fve lost for their Jove a desire. 

I could not be sad, were he here, 

But bird-like would sing in my glee. 

For then he would still every fear 
And bring his love-promise to me. 

And the promise so truly he ga\ e 

That Jove will keep watch from above 

And my hand and my heart he shall have. 
When he comes and he claims me for love. 

A perfect calm is irksome ; to be awake and con- 
scious is better than dtiU sleep. The morrow came 
and went and came again. A bird that would be free 
and with its mate, would force the wicket-gate or any 
other cage, and flee away, to aid and bitild with him 
a pendant nest in the woods, and there sing to him 
in love and be content ! 

The routine before the shrine — the march and 
countermarch, adorations, prostrations, hymns and 
vigils, vain and unavailing. Oh, they were a continued 
dull monotony that more irksome grew ; 'twas calm, 
but stich a calm on ocean, no sailor likes ; its glassy 
surface tires the eye, qualms the senses — to be for- 
ever so. He would take the risk, and be in storm; 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 9 

l)e his own pilot ; trust to Neptune, trust to Jupiter 
and the good ship. 

But she, with her fellow nymphs, were i)ronnsed 
recreation on the morrow — she to direct the chase, 
and they the timid deer will hunt ; perchance this lan- 
guor will depart ; if not, it may afifect the heart, then, 
then what ? Trust to Diana ! They sang a hymn to 
her in worshi]) : — 

Chaste Diana! we adore thee 

For thy wandering mother's sake 
That thj- father prised her beauty 

And her love didst not forsake — 
For Latona's Isle, He careth — 

He her memory doth revere 
Guard our shrine, Diana dearest, 

Grant thy blessing to our prayer. 

Chaste Diana we adore thee 

In this island-home secure 
For scenes serene 'mid quiet sea, 

Where all is peaceful, bright and pure. 

Let the jealous Juno never — 

Nor Venus vain, come ever near, 
But let Lavarna steal the quiver 

That Cupid's arrows wound not here. 

Light of evening, shine upon us! 

Let thy crescent feature smile, 
Luna in heaven — do not forget us; 

Thou art the goddess of our isle. 
Let no Paris us discover, 

Let no Dido shed a tear. 
Let no once forgotten lover 

Find the virgins sheUered here. 

At its close Eurydice's voice trembled — the air 
was chill, they would retire. Thoughts of the absent, 
as of the dead, will show its srrief and brine a tear: 



lO A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

she turned aside that others might not see she had a 
sorrow hidden — a regret. She was but as a bud in 
a garden of flowers, when Orpheus went to sea, and 
he, younger than Adonis, as full of promise. In much 
favor by the princes he was held, and therefore with 
them joined he the Argo's crew, to gain a name and 
fame, and aid in the capture of the Golden Fleece ; 
'twould have been folly to object. ' He will return,' 
she said, 'but it w'ill not be anon! will it ever be?' 
Despondingly she sighed, ' Shall we ever meet again ! ' 

The longest vigil endeth, highest mountain hath 
its summit, the deepest sea its shore : the stars will 
guide him back again if — if the Fates and Neptune 
permit — they will ! they must ! Words rash and un- 
befitting for a novice. Oh, forgive her! With nervous 
energy, she exclaimed, ' Jupiter, Great Jupiter, over- 
rule them all, let him return! ' 

She had attended the Delian festival at Delos at 
a time when he, Orpheus, was at sea, and was so 
charmed with its pillared, marble halls and colonnade, 
its shrine of polished parian, its statues, Latona, Diana 
and Apollo and other symbols, that call for adoration ; 
its baths, its shade and sunlit walks fit for a Juno- 
Temple, most beautiful, that sat as a pearl amid the 
Cyclades, its unstained front reflected in the sea — 
whose height seemed so near celestial skies from every 
point, encircled in a sapphire ring — a sacred, silent, 
cold enchantment, things evil came not near — so 
calm, so still, so pure. Only at the Delian festival 
was heard songs of merriment ; at other times only at 
set of sun was heard voices of worshipers that sing 
and pray — so spiritual that those who came to look 
or gaze were fain to stay, even tho' unprepared to 
leave the earth's attractions. Thus lured from the 
world, her choice of life not fixed — wavering. 'Twas 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. II 

thus she entered this choicest of Diana's abodes ; ma- 
tnre, domestic minds had won her to remain a novice. 
* Her voice.' they said, ' would aid and grace the sacred 
choir, so innocent so pleading;' thus, their flattery 
aided to accomplish. Then Orpheus in her thoughts 
was not — so long at sea — ' he must be lost ! ' She 
would remember him with others, when at times, at 
prayer (if in her heart, kept secret, it wall not meet 
with censure). Then with voice suppress'd she sighed 
and sang a regret : — 

A CONFESSION. 

Tune: "So fine this morning early." 

" Oh! who can cheer the lonely? 

He comes not, and I wait in vain 
For his voice and words, that kindly 

Hath kindled this fond, anxious, pain. 
Delights, that seen but with Him 

Are treasured joys that still remain 
As, when we sang our evening hymn 

At Diana's sacred fane. 

There was no eye so cheery. 

No step so buoyant in the grove. 
His smile beamed on me dearly 

With words so fidj of joy and love — 
But I dare not now avow it, 

For that would shame Diana's train. 
And my vow would not allow it — 

Ah me! could we but meet again 
Then — tho' I might my love repent, 

I would confess and die content. 

Pleading to Venus, she leant upon her statue. 
Hear my whisper, Venus — when. 
When will my lover come again. 
Never have I loved another, 
Only Him — I have none other. 



12 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

Thou with Cupid when at play 
Was it sinful, say, I pray 

To heed his song, to praise the lay 

And sigh, as I, now he's away. 

Shall we! shall we ever meet again? 

Insisting did he snatch a kiss. 

Didst feign him nay — • with soft resist 
The flush upon thy cheeks relate 
Consent, that he might captivate — ■ 

So I, the day he sailed away, 

Parted with him on the quay, 
Then he — caress'd me as a child 

With heart's consent beguiled. 

Shall we! shall we ever meet again? 

It was a ruddy-featured boy 
That caused Latona's double joy. 

Babes that nestled at her breast 

Apollo with Diana — blest — 
Her prayer was heard by the Supreme, 
Lend — lend thy aid, we pray to him. 

He can forbid and he allow 

He alone annul my vow. 

Shall we! shall we ever meet again? 

Do but grant these only wishes; 
I'll repay thee with caresses. 

Promise me when on Olympus, 

Thou wilt bid the Gods to bless us. 
Let me not forever weep 
As tho' he lay 'neath ocean deep. 

My love, my secret wishes keep. 

Let me kiss him in my sleep. 
If! If we cannot meet again! 

" Let him the billows safely cross and gitide him to 
Delos ; of him I dream, for him I weep, hear his voice 
and kiss him in my sleep. He'll come ! He'll come ! 
I know he'll come, and the Arsro will return ! " She 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 13 

believes the purport of her prayer — no more forlorn. 
Oh, joyous hope! now the weary time flies by — 
beauty smiles again, the lengthened face is more 
rotund. 

Buds blossom and decay, their bright leaves fade 
awav. so doth a maiden's sigh ; she is now merry with 
Diana's nymphs, preparing for the chase, singing of: — 

"HUNTING THE DEER." 

Nymphs of Diana, haste and away 

To join the chase at break of day. 
The horn will echo, hounds appear 
On mountain range to start the deer. 
Ye O! we call! Ye O. steady! 

Alert was he, at bay of hound. 
And swiftly sped he o'er the ground. 
The doe^ o'er mountain 'scaped away, 
The stag had lead the hounds astray. 
Ye O! we call! Ye O, steady! 

So startled were they^ as he went, 
No speeding arrow had been sent — 

No pouch of game, but 'bide the loss 

We'll yet make merry, at Delos. 
Ye O! we call! Ye O, steady! 

He swam the lake, and fled away, 

And foiled were they — he won the day — 

As if defying them to take 

His antlers, wave, above the lake. 
Ye O! we call! Ye O, steady! 

The hounds return, with panting l)reath; 

The lake was deep, to sink was death. 
Diana's troop, with buskin'd feet. 
Had, all with dew, their jerkets wet. 

We sigh, heigh-ho! ye O; heigh O! 



14 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

The youth is now a man. The weary time a: 
length is past for the Argo's crew. They have re- 
turned and there is great joy at Athens, and the faith- 
ful dames and maidens fair are there, and met them at 
the landing" with many a caress. Eurydice was absent 
and (Jrpheus was sad, but when the truth was told 
his joy returned and he is safe in port. He knew the 
retreats of the deer and the resort of the fair hunters — 
their grounds and woods; for these (for them) had 
been by special use and law provided. Delos was but 
a few leagues or so away. Orpheus would fain have 
sought permission, it would not have been denied, but 
he rather chose to wander to its mountain heights 
without, and at leisure view the scenery and towers 
of Delos. 

But what knew Eurydice of the Argo and its re- 
turn? Oh, it was night, that from her dormitory she 
by the stars" light saw the Argo pass, returning to 
Athens, and a bird, her heart, fluttered in its cage. 
' Tis he ! 'tis he ! ' she exclaimed. ' I know the pennant 
that I made for Jason ' (his dear friend). 

They passed as near the sacred isle as permission 
gave. Orpheus flush 'd his kerchief toward the beacon- 
light : he knew not who kept vigil. The sailors were 
joyous, singing hymns to Xeptune, that all sailors 
sing, as in safety they return. 

When it passed and her eyes its sails no more 
could see — as a child that knew its mother near, she 
closed her eyes and slept and had a happy dream of 
him — that the}' would meet again. 

Orpheus had met with many greetings, and of ab- 
sent friends had been apprised, and mindful of them 
he chose at times to climl) the mountain heights to 
better view the constellations, taught by Urania, and 
note their fixity — perceive the earth move and the 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 15 

sul:)ordinate moon follow. But such a constellation as 
Diana's nymphs returning from the chase he never 
among the stars so much of beauty saw. They saw 
him, but did not fly, but nearer many paces came, to 
better hear the harp and song. He sang to Venus 
Urania. They knew the air but not the words — they 
listened as he sang: — 

TO A STAR. 

Tune: " Isle of beauty." 
Stella beauty, far above me. 
Brilliant orb! witbin the blue. 
Frown not, if an earthly beauty 
Dares eclipse thy distant view. 
Venus Urania! bright thou art 
The eye to cheer, but not the heart. 
She comes this way, with hound and horn, 
Thou barest no comparison. 
Phoebus but shines upon Diana 
Coldly — unlike loves glow in man ! 
The tired nymphs were on their way 
To the stony cove, the little bay. 
When he accosted her, who lead. 
That caused a halt, and gently said: 
Fair star of day — hie not away. 
Let not a shrine immure thee! 
Her fellow nymphs said, timidly, 
He speaks to thee, Eurydice. 
Her name he now might mention 
She expectant — all attention — 
Then as they awaited, he ejaculated: 
" Illume this sphere ■ — on earth, be dear 
Am I not thine — Eurydice!" 
Startled, in blush of love she said: 
" Orpheus, thy name and fame is known, 
Thy songs — I sing — when I'm alone — 
Dost thou sincerely proffer love 
And plead with me its truth to prove." 
And he, without delay, replied. 



1 6 A GRECLfN TRAGEDY. 

I do — I love! I woo thee — stay. 

I will protect — abide with me. 

To Athens let us haste away, 

And thou shalt name thy bridal day! 

He paused — and she was silent now, 

Thinking of her novice vow. 

Then said ^ — -my home, I leave, for thine 

To thee betroth this heart of mine — 

(Chaste Delia at Apollo's side 

Would happier be were she a bride). 

Happy are we, when we are loved; 

Woman's heart with love is moved. 

But sadder creature never breathed 

Deceived by man she once believed. 

Clasped were their hands, he kissed her face, 

A pledge, responsive, fond embrace — 

Then, bade her tell him of the chase. 

And when and where the deer had ran. 

And she, with rosy blush, began 

Her story of the hunt. 

" We early sought the woodland shore 

With our light barge 

And row'd along with muffled oar 

To obey our charge. 

We landed at the stony cove. 

With muzzled dogs in silence move; 

Then to the mountains sped along 

To circumvent the deer. 

They were elate, as warned by fate 

And tremulous with fear. 

There were but two — they came to drink, 

Apparently, together. 

He led the hounds to the water's brink; 

They quite neglected her. 

He seemed to stand as undismayed 

When she made her escape. 

For then, erect his antlers waved 

With confidence elate. 

And like a valiant man he stood, 

Cared not for barkings hollow. 

But walked into the foaming flood 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 17 

And dared the dogs to follow. 

And in they ran, and swam and leap'd 

Much in each other's way 

Breathless his challenge to accept; 

But they lost, he won the day. 

He drowned the foremost with his horns. 

And broke another's leg. 

Now she, I hope, is with her fauns 

Afar from any dread! 

Their splash and splurge, we dared not follow. 

Then, as we came along. 

We heard — they, thought it was Apollo 

When we heard thy song. 

Sang to a queen above our sphere 

An imaginary, she — 

Then to myself I said, more dear 

1 could, I * * * J (^Q^ \oYt thee! " 

And, had he never loved till now. 

He felt the twang of Cupid's bow 

And fondly, said: 

" Dearest, thy maids are in alarm; 

They call, they wind their hunting horn 

The chase is o'er — bid them depart 

And tell that thou hast snared a hart — 

Now fear not — pledged to leave Delos 

Diana will forgive her loss." 

Then, as she unclasped her hound 

That lap'd her feet upon the ground 

Whined, and would have follow'd. 

But she forbade, and it obeyed. 

And bounded to its fellows. 

One sobbing sylph — unlike the rest 

Clung to her neck and was caress'd 

Their parting kiss had much of pain 

As those who ne'er would meet again. 

Farewell she said to those on shore. 

And lead Diana's train no more. 

Then gayly through the woods they wend 

To her bridal-mother-friend Penelope 



l8 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

Diana's nymphs, tho' delayed by man's voice — 
tho' environed and forbidden, found that his was far 
from harsh, 'twas joyous, 'twas agreeable — that they 
did linger and backward look ; it check'd some merry 
voices, and Nature, thawing, made them sigh and 
would they were, Eurydice. 

Time would not halt ; they nnist away, impatient 
they became, 'twas day. To the shrine, they must re- 
cross the ^^gean to Delos. Some, to the Barge, in 
trepidation ran, to return without Eurydice. 

The Preceptress was ofTended, indignant was, and 
frowned upon them all, and numerous inquiries made, 
and punishment to him who e'er it was, essayed, for 
this sacrilegious raid. 

Eurydice, at Athens, was fondly received by her 
former companions, 'tho some, ominously shook their 
heads, trouble foreboding, wondering what would be 
the outcome, of this, before unheard of flight, and 
desecration of Diana's shrine. 

What would the aged priestess and preceptors do, 
to punish her. Never were the timid and superstitious 
so alarmed ; those of questionable age, who never 
had been tempted, were shock'd, for so they said — 
again and again ! 

The Archon of Delos was prompt to follow, and 
to punish the violators of Religion, and its sanctity 
maintain, and thus it came about, for He, with numer- 
ous assistants, with their staves of office, proceeded to 
the Piraeus in force, where lay at anchor the good ship 
Argo, and Jason answer'd to the hail of the Archon's 
pompous call, ' What would thou, of the cap- 
tain or crew of the Argo?' To which he made 
replv — 'We seek one Orpheus, to presently and 
promptly make answer to the preceptors of Delos, 
who, by them, is charged with sacrilege — of violation 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 19 

and piracy in carrying away one of the novices of the 
Shrine of Diana, from where they were ni the state 
grounds (as is their custom) hunting.' The crew were 
instantly on deck, as tho' a squad w'as in the offing — 
and Orpheus was foremost of tliem aU, and promptly 
made an answer. ' There is but a moiety of truth in 
thy accusations; therefore I, Orpheus, the several 
charges therein set forth, deny, and will submit only 
to be heard before Athena's Judges, in the highest 
court." ' Thou shalt be heard therein.' was the re- 
sponse of the Archon. ' But who is here will pledge 
for thy appearance.' Upon which the voice of one 
rang out, ' Jason, of the ' Argo.' ' And the Archon 
said: ' It is sufficient. I will so note it down, and so 
announce,' adding ' The officials of Delos will lay their 
charges home, which, if proven, remember, the penalty 
is Banishment or Death ! " The sailors, in derision, 
laughed. Ha, Ha, a ha, ha! and the Archon and his 
aids returned to Athens without a prisoner. 

The time was named, that on the third day follow- 
ing, at early dawn, Orpheus should appear and an- 
swer make in open court, l)efore the Areopagites. 

There were but few, who knew of her retreat, the 
secret was imposed, and kept ; its necessitv was evi- 
dent. Penelope sheltered her from danger as fondly 
as a mother ; she had promised to deck her for the 
marriage, should she gain permission to wed. It was 
noised about, on every tongue, 'Is she in hiding?' 
' what has become of her ? ' ' He must produce her ! ' 

And now, all Athens was astir. The day and hour 
arrived, a press of people, wending their way up Mars 
Hill to hear the charges laid. The many believed that 
sacrilege had been committed ; they clamor'd of Diana 
— of broken vows, of chastity and punishment. 



20 A GRECIAA^ TRAGEDY. 

Trial of Orpheus Before the Areopagites. 

The Judges were assembled around a broad circle, 
on their stone benches seated, in stately vestments 
toged, their forms and faces mark'd with age and wis- 
dom. Such that silence doth command. 

A hum of voices at the great entrance announced 
the arrival of the accusers from Delos, and other wit- 
nesses • — • novices and preceptors, in their sacristan 
garments robed. They bore calamitous expressions 
on their stern faces ; they entered, and with their 
scribes and Archon, stood forth, whereupon the 
Judges from their seats arose, and paid them defer- 
ence, as representatives of the Shrine of Diana — and 
again were seated. 

Another, louder hum of voices then arose, and 
Jason and his swarthy crew jostled through the crowd, 
but not till they had entered did they dofif their caps. 
And Jason and Orpheus stood conspictious before the 
court. The gap in the crowd was closed. The spa- 
cious temple could contain no more. The young 
and old alike, pressing to be nearest, to note and hear 
and see the participants. The Auditorium, at its cen- 
ter, was occupied by ^Minerva's statue (said to have 
been cloven from out the brain of Jupiter). She, of 
Justice and Wisdom symbolic. 

The Judge, who wore the chaplets of the Law, 
arose, and acclaimed in formal solemnity, as tho' ad- 
dressing Minerva's self : 

" Thou, who art reverenced by the states, and all 
the Hellenes, wheresoe'er they dwell, and by whose 
wisdom we preside, we invoke thy aid. Do thou upon 
the deliberations of thy servants direct and guide us 
to a just decision, from the evidence to be adduced. 
That we, the sacredness of the laws herebv involved. 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 21 

may honor and maintain. To hear the charges, to 
explain and define the Law. Likewise, to hear the 
defense. The pleas, excuses or reasons that may be 
advanced and offered to remove the obloquy — 
namely, the charge of sacrilege. 

" ' The desecration of the Temple and Shrine of 
Diana,' that has been (according to report) so 
strangely violated in the capture and detention of a 
Novice of Her Shrine — a most serious charge ! The 
accusers may proceed." Whereupon a Priestess of 
Delos read aloud the charges inscribed upon her 
parchment-roll, saying, " Reverend Judges, and in 
Minerva's presence, we affirm, as guardians of sanc- 
tity and religion : By the most ancient laws of Greece, 
established at our Island Shrine of Latona, dedicated 
by the wull of Jupiter to Apollo and Diana, where wis- 
dom, and Religion, health and recreation are dispensed 
and practised, and \'irtue held most sacred — Diana 
be it known, being acknowledged patron and ' God- 
dess of the Chase.' The state hath set apart grounds 
for her Nymphs, only — where man, except by great 
favor is permitted not, so sacred is it held, undisturbed 
by intrusion of the hide, and rude, world. We pro- 
claim its sanctity has been violated. We charge, that 
upon a certain night, for it was not yet day, the ac- 
cused * * *." The Judge arose and said: 'Let 
the accused stand forth,' and Orpheus, with manly 
stride, nearer to the symbol of Minerva came, and the 
matron proceeded. ' That upon the day, as charged, 
just as Aurora lit the mountain tops, and the Nymphs 
•were returning, tired from the chase, he Orpheus with 
evil intent, was within the sacred inclosure — did in- 
tercept and detain, with music, voice and song — and 
did, with such persuasive and seducing words and 
promises, take from the affrighted group, Eurydice, 



22 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

who was, and is, a Novitiate of Diana's Sacred Shrine, 
therein law and rehgion scorning. He hath, in defi- 
ance of law, Piracy and Sacrilege committed. There- 
fore, we are in shame before Minerva's Judges, and 
pray, ask and demand that he be adjudged guilty, 
and such punishment as the enormity of the ofifense 
demands, be meted out upon his head and fortune ! ' 

The matron's voice had reached so high a pitch 
she w^as compelled to close the harangue. 

The Judge hereupon remarked. ' The accusations 
have been laid — appear complete. The novice be- 
ing present, let her be unveiled. Penelope, from a 
screen, led the maiden to Orpheus' side, where he, 
with bold and sudden twitch (without an hinderance) 
threw her peplos oflf, and the gaze of a thousand eyes 
were upon her. The judges and all, breathless were, 
a while, in admiration, gazing — Penelope had 
adorned her person for the ordeal. 

Her long seclusion from the sun's rays had made 
her very fair; at length the Judge the silence broke, 
saying, ' Is this the novice?' The preceptress made 
response — ' It is ! ' Then (as before some idol) Eury- 
dice bent the knee, and to Orpheus' face looked up ; 
their eyes met, and he, as much as he did dare, ca- 
ressed her with hand upon her forehead. She in con- 
fidence arose, and leant upon his arm. Penelope came 
to her relief saying, ' I am to be her Thal-ame-polos ; 
in my charge he did leave her.' Orpheus stept 
aside as the Judge continued, saying ' Is she further 
recognized,' and many nodded their reply to her iden- 
tity. Then, addressing the preceptress, he queried — ■ 
' The novices of Delos are of various ages — what is 
a novitiate's full term, e're the final vow is taken, and 
they are seen no more by man ? ' To which she made 
reply, ' The years are five.' ' Was her name, with 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 27, 

her consent, inscril)e(I upon the record? ' and the reply 
followed. ' It has heen done.' The matron spoke no 
more. 

There was a pause, until the Judge exclaimed, 
' The evidence against the accused is complete — let 
him now make answer ! " 

Then Orpheus, with slight tremor, confronting 
Minerv'a's Image (the symbol of Justice), said: ' Rev- 
erend judges, sacred to me has ever been the Laws 
of Athena — full confidence have I in the wisdom 
and decisions of the Areopagus — diplomats from dis- 
tant lands, quote, and take record thereof, noting their 
import, and are pleased to adopt such as are passed 
upon by This Tribunal. Here truth and equity are 
justly defined — such as relate to property, priority of 
claims, sacredness of promises (such as are moral, 
within the law). Those, I affirm. I have not broken. 
Promises, in good faith received, cannot be broken 
except by mutual consent ! — they are as sacred as 
religion ; for such Religion doth teach and inculcate. 
The Law doth justly provide rewards for the worthy, 
who keep their fealty ! The barbarian doth honor 
those who keep inviolate their promises ; punishment 
is only rendered to those who faithless prove. 

Thou wilt, therefore, reg-ardless of the favor of the 
opulent, or power of oflcials, of shrines or Temples, 
concede them only such consideration as justice and 
The Law^s direct, and, tho' they be in numbers pres- 
ent, and clamor much, and I be alone in seeming 
opposition, so pass upon Orpheus, to whom permis- 
sion has been given to address the court, to speak, 
and his cause and claim present — I have no fear, by 
thy decisions, by thy fiat, will I abide. 

" Honors, at Athens, are conceded to the aged ; for 
their wisdom, the aged and sedate receive our rever- 



24 ^ GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

ence. They have passed passion's violence, and youth- 
ful bounds of folly ; but Joy, in excess, Great Jupiter 
in Nature, put in possession of the young, for them. 
Love's buds unfold — the birds couple, build their 
nests — creatures then select their mates, 'tis Nature's 
development of Love. I was not an exception — I as 
the birds in youth sang ; she to whom I sang, with 
some delight, listened. Each beauteous bud opens its 
bosom, when Aurora lights Loves garden, and re- 
sponds with perfume — its vernal tints take deeper 
hues, that doth reflect its joy thereat, and we l^ehold ; 
such joy I partook of, for more was promised when 
the flower should its full l:)OSom open. The stately 
stepping steed will, as it bounds at liberty, arrest its 
speed, and whinner for its mate. If such is Nature in 
the lower creatures, who will assert that to man it has 
been denied. Judges finite, the Infinite in Nature 
gave each creature Love's desires. In youth I sang 
in the sacred Choir, and Nature did attract to me one 
Doric Maid ; we sang in unison together. She did 
perceive, and fearless came to me and I to her. again 
and again, implicitly. We did select love-tokens, from 
the buds of Flora that did speak our passion, and 
gave replies, and thus did Cupid our loves and 
thoughts exchange ; the flame admitted was. and be- 
came a sacred contract." 

" Treaties with Nations, by Athena's judges, are 
ever sacred held. In A'enus' courts, the promises of 
Love are not less sacred. On the voyage of the Argo 
there were other youths pledged to similar loved ones 
who, upon return, have fulfilled their obligations! 
Wherefore should not I, in all honor, my promise, 
my pledged word, redeem ; unjust it would have been 
had I not made the attempt. I have but taken that 
which was mine own — willinglv, mine onlv. 




ORPHEUS AND EURYniCE. 

(By permission of D. McKay, Philadelphia, Pa.) 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 



25 



" L^pon my return, iii_\- pledge, to her at sight, was 
due. Diana's claim contains proviso in abeyance, 
binding only at close of her novitiate. Note the time, 
stated by the Advocate, my claim precedence therefore 
takes, and cannot be denied. 

She was sought by the sacred singers of Delos — 
for religious and reserve her deportment has ever 
been ; she obeyed their Inchest during long absence ; 
she was a gentle Sibyl with tripod and its fires ; she 
kept the flame of Love alive to give it back to him 
who first did kindle it, if he should come again." 
Eurydice, who had drunk in every word, suddenly, 
and with nervous fervor (that startled the very judges) 
said : ' Dear sisterhood ! Had he not returned, I 
would have remained with thee forever ! ' The ma- 
tron averted her face — she was repulsed. And Or- 
pheus continued : ' For her care, protection, her 
health, happiness and sustenance, prepared am I to 
recompense the providers of Delos ; it is within the 
compass of my ability," and Orpheus drew her to his 
side, where her head upon his bosom fell. 

"Success to Love! Success to Love!" now the 
fickle multitude cried out. In vain the Archon 
waved his mace, silence to command. And many af- 
firmative nods, and exchanged glances, from the now 
animated faces of the judges, was seen ; and all about 
voices rang out — ' For Orpheus! for Orpheus!" was 
shouted. 

The Judge arose and said, addressing Diana's 
advocate : ' Thou art at liberty to respond,' but she, 
with haughty voice, replied, ' After this rude demon- 
stration, it would be folly.' Jason a well-filled pouch 
displayed, hanging from his belt, apparently to meet 
the exigence, should it be needed. 

Then it was the court became of one accord, for 



26 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

he who appeared to speak for all, read from the Table 
of the Law, saying as he read : ' There is no prohibi- 
tion from entering the state grounds of Athens. Love 
is not prohibited therein, if it lead to marriage, and the 
flame be mutual. Promises, tho' unwritten, are bind- 
ing ; cannot be set aside by subsequent agreement with 
another, except by mutual consent of the originals so 
bound. The term of the maiden's novitiate, being in- 
complete she was at liberty to abandon her sacred 
studies and return to her friends, or she could have 
been dismissed for sufficient cause. Her friends are 
not obligated to repay for the care bestowed — it is con- 
sidered a gratuity ; but, still, they may remunerate the 
preceptors of the shrine, if they are generous and wise. 
We find no violation of Diana's shrine has been 
proven, that can sacrilege be called. No violence w^as 
used in the capture ; for it doth appear he did not carry 
away this fair novice to his ship, as a pirate might 
have done. It appears he was content to be led by 
her, through a circuitous path to the abode of her 
friend. Penelope, where later, doubtless. Hymen will 
cement their loves and happiness. There being no 
dissent, it is so decreed. The charges and complaint 
of the worthy matron have not been sustained. Xo 
law by Orpheus has been either broken or defied, 
therefore, no penalty is imposed. The representatives 
of Delos will accept such recompense that Orpheus or 
his friends may proffer ; the scribe of the court will aid 
in its adjustment.' 

The judges arose and slowlv retired in small 
groups, with many a chuckle, apparently contented 
with the hearing and decisions : some even rubbed 
their hands with glee, as pleased they were, e'en the 
stern matron smiled as tho' she could forgive. 

Now, her timid fellow friends could not be re- 



ORFHEUS AND EURYDICE. 



V 



strained ; they crowded towards Eurydice to congratu- 
late, and many did insist to kiss her. Penelope led 
her forth, and as they retraced their steps down Ares 
Hill, and through the garden walks departed, their gar- 
rulous tongues and merry laughter brightened all the 
flowers. A poor wilted one was she, for tho' grown 
to womanly estate, they had to lead her, so overcome 
she was with their kindly love. They had, with roses, 
made an Arch of Triumph at the door, that later Or- 
pheus entered when they were gone. They likewise 
fed the Doves, intended as sacrificial offering to Diana 
— that she might leave her train, and wed. 

Beneath a floral wreath they sat her. and danced 
and sang The Epi-thal-a-mi-um. 

A MARRIAGE IDYL. 

Diana, dear! it doth appear 

That one in love is here; 

She is both pHghted and content 

But waiting thy consent 

To leave thy train, permission gain. 

To wed with him she loves. 

Her offering brings, with pinion'd wings, 

Two sacrificial doves; 

And now, never — not for a man 

Will she break her vow again. 

Dance maidens, dance, for she must win, 

The Epi-thal-ami-um! 

Let us beg the aid of Juno — now, maidens! 

" Queen Jime, dear, send Iris here. 

Thy messenger of cheer — 

Let all the Gods know this above 

That this is a plea of love; 

They'll intercede, we do believe. 

With Diana of Delos; 

Man was to blame — to blame, of course. 

For chaste Diana's loss. 



A GRECIAN TRAGEDY 




OFFERING IIOVKS TO I)7AXA FOR COXSEXT TO ^lARRY. 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 



29 



But now^ never — not for a man, 
Will she break her vow again. 

Dance maidens, dance, for she must win, 

The Epi-thal-a-mi-um! 

We'll appeal to the Goddess of love — 

Venvis, indeed! did Cupid lead. 

With his bow and arrow. 

And alack-a-day! hearts, beat in love 

With (juite a bosom throb 

What could she do, he came to woo 

And she believed him true ■ — • 

Man was to blame, and love, of course. 

That caused Diana's loss. 

But now, never, not for a man 

Will she break her vow again. 

Dance maidens, dance. Venus must win 

The Epi-thal-a-mi-um! 




APOI.LO AND THE MU.SE.S (RO^rANO). 



xAround they danced, they sang and kissed, initil 
she begged them to desist. The merry creatures did 
essay to make it Love's own Gala-day I 

Once more! O, let us beg of Fate to be gracious — 

now maidens! 
" To pay her debt, may they beget 
A little Dryade — or — Oreade, 
Then she, might join Diana's train 



30 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

To make amends — it may be 

He never more will tantalize 

Or poach, or capture by surprise 

With his alluring lover-voice. 

Now Fate has fix'd his choice: 

Man was to blame, and fate, of course. 

For chaste Diana's joss. 

But now, never, not for a man. 

Will she break her vow again. 

Dance maidens, dance, for she must win. 

The Epi-thal-a-mi-um ! 

Desist, desist, she cried again; whene'er I hear of 
fate or death, I tremble, shrink and faint thereat. 
'Tis well. Fate's Fiat we cannot know. 
To cause us mortals fret and woe ! 



"But see, Penelope beckons us within. Come! 
Thanks for thy joyous song, and wishes kind, may 
they all prove true. Come to the Feast! " 

They ran and skip'd, with nimble feet, and left 
the flowery Bower behind. Faithful Penelope never 
had so many happy guests before. 

Jason's Banquet. 

And C)rpheus and his friends at night were jovial 
on the Argo, as Jason spread his sailor Banquet, to 
which more than one of the judges found their way, 
and Momus and Comus, full of fun, rattled ofif their 
wit at Orpheus" expense, and Tipphis repeated his 
banter with a nymph in the garden after the trial. 
' Tip ' strutted in character, and said ' I was singing a 
solo,' and they formed a ring to listen, it turned to be 
a duet. I sane 



ORPHEVS AND EVRYDICE. 31 

THE DUET IN THE GARDEN. 

Oh, who would not rise to the Gods? 
They dwell not on earth, but in heaven. 
They taste of the sweets that delight 
That never to mortals are given. 
The Goddesses there WE shall meet 
And sip their Ambrosia and Nectar, 
And loll in their shady retreat, 
Just acting as beauty inspector. 
What secrets of bliss they would teach. 
And sing on Olympus their mirth — 
And Juno — a Venus, give each 
Far-away, from the dowdies of earth 
The slatterns and dowdies of earth. 



The maidens lang-hed Te-e, Te-e, Ha-ha and Te-e, 
and a A'ixen Dared reply — with 

True! who would not fly to the Gods? 
They dwell not on earth, but in heaven. 
They would give US all perfumes and sweets 
Such as man for devouring are given. 
We'll invite mother Juno to meet us 
With Narcissus and Paris, to greet us, 
And with such as Adonis, by dozens, 
We'll take them for lovers and cousins; 
And Venus, we know, she will plan 
For us a better selection than man. 
For they will be constant and true. 
And Hymen with love bid adieu. 
And we do! as we've a-mind to! 
So now — there! conceited bear! 

They clap'd their liands and lattghed inordinately. 
Jason said, 'tell us all about it — what didst thou do, 
Tiphys?' And 'Tip' replied, 'T made my escape; 
I'm here! ' A jolly judge (one well-versed in Cupid's 
wiles) remarked, ' She'll not refuse thee. But before 



32 



A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 



Hymen ties the knot, have aU superfluous hair from 
thy head removed, and see that her nails are pared/ 
And Tiphys joined in the laugh. Epicurus robbed 
the larder for the feast. Jason told how, in passing 
the Isles of the Sirens, ' Ulysses determined a fishing 
to go, and had he not tied a Gordian knot around him 
with a hawser, one sailor less would be found among 
the crew.' To which a sober judge replied : ' It was 
well thou hadst the hawser ! " and the loaded table 
shook, and the laugh went round. Tiphys sang his 
songs, and the boisterous chorus rang, for Tiletus 
tap'd a vintage load of bottles, ere the merriment was 
closed. Each took his part, in the Symposiac, round 
* * *. And the disturbed city of the day resumed 
its quiet; many snooded. Maidens, great tears let 
fall, as they looked upon Eurydice. as Orpheus told 
his love. The married too, — as tho" Eurydice was on 
trial, whereas, she had not been disturbed by any one 
— she had been as a guest at the home of Penelope." 
(In repeating the incidents, Plato remarked, ' So ran 
the record of the court, and modern Law has not re- 
versed Love's obligations.') 

" Orpheus was a Prince. The Argo's crew were 
princes. By those who knew him, he was much be- 
loved. They said of him. ' His soul breathes in his 
songs.' With him there was but one choice between 
True Love and meritless conceited wealth, that Plato 
did express, thus saying. ' Her wealth was in her self, 
possessions she had none.' 

LOVE OVER WEALTH. SUPREME. 

The influential. I opine, 
May take a novice from a shrine. 
And censures frown may oft escape. 
If they a weighty present make. 
When done — remonstrance, there is none — 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 33 

Athena's judges did maintain 

That Orpheus had a prior claim — 

The law imposed no penalty — 

Their love was not impiety. 

He, in gold or gems, was one 

Would yield them up what e'er the sum 

For her alone for that loved one — 

Give all of earthly store or cost 

And never count such dross a loss. 

" Her gentle, unassuming tact will lead ; he will 
follow, love her, in song or sorrow, and she, adore 
him evermore. Alas ! It was too intense ! Then, it 
was fatal, but now, it is immortal." 



A LAMENT FOR THE DISAPPOINTED. 

Brief are the joys of earth; 

They do not satisfy, 

So fleeting is the mirth, 

So frequent is the sigh — 

The dawn of day was bright 

But torches lit the night. 

For ere the wedding day set in 

She died for love of him! 

Love is indestructil)le ; confoimd it not with other 
passions. Love is Jupiter's primal trait, endowed on 
mortals, never to be withdrawn — its full measure is 
not here, its fruition is (perforce) hereafter; 'twill make 
amends for disappointments, past, in continuous over- 
flow — good souls ! in this assurance, be of good 
cheer ! 

" Discordant creatures there are, that roar, snarl 
and tear, with carnivorous teeth-envying; they spring 
from the jungle, creep from their lair in ambtish, wait- 
ing, the innocent to entrap, and fatal is their venom. 
3 



34 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

The Poets say, that by sting of serpent, died Eury- 
dice. Sting of serpent is but a figure of speech for 
natural deaith. Death is a supposed enemy ; we do 
not desire to die, we would live forever. Fellow stu- 
dents, we so understand it." At which there was a 
murmur of dissent at the words ' figure of speech ; ' it 
came from the Orthodox in sanctimonious garb — 
representatives of Gods innumerable. They were 
there, seeking pretexts for censure. 

The students, to applaud began, but Socrates pre- 
siding, with gavel's call, suppressed the applause. 

Such was explanatory — the preface to much of 
Plato's lecture. The serenity of his mind was undis- 
turbed, and he continued. " (Jrpheus had returned 
with the victorious Argonauts in time to enter the 
lists, and strive for the prizes at the Olympic games. 
By general consent, at Athens, he had been selected 
to relate the adventures of the Argo, and the ship dedi- 
cated to Neptune, Father of waters — Ocean's (rod! " 

" There he, extempore orating, melting, thrilling 
and intoning with his voice and harp, sang the ex- 
ploits and perils of the voyage. The escapes from 
Boreas' breezes, flash and crash of storm, battles with 
the billows and the clouds, that threatened to engulf. 
Hidden rocks and whirling pools, with songs of sirens 
met with on the way ; furies numerous, and Gorgons 
in disguise. But sirens and sea maids their nudity 
displayed in vain, for when Orpheus sang of Home, 
Dear Home — with that Hymen Enchantment, they 
passed the perils and were safe • — safe from breakers 
and wreckers aloof, steering to deeper waters, safely 
sailing. He sang as tho' he were a married man, and 
loved the treasures of his home. As tho' addressing 
Great Neptune, he sang: — " 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 35 

OF HOMP;. DEAR HO^IE. 

Tune: "The Sicilian Hymn." 
Would'st thou know why we wander so far from our home? 
Dear place! where so lonely they hope we may come. 
Those precious, those fond ones, so link'd to our lot, 
Have made its retreat the most hallowed spot. 

Home, home! Dear, dear home! 

There's Elysium and bliss with our loved ones at home! 

'Twas the care of their welfare, the toil of the day. 
That called us, reluctant, from loved ones away. 
But oh for its harbor, its shelter from storm, 
Where care is excluded, to rest us at home. 

Home, home! Dear, dear home! 

There's Elysium and bliss with our loved ones at home! 

There fond arms are open, our pets, how they cling! 
And with kisses they hug us tho' nothing we bring; 
Our Fates, we accept them, the burdens to come. 
For love of our kindred, so faithful at home! 

Home, home! Dear, dear home! 

There's Elysium and bliss with our loved ones at home! 

In our voyages, so distant, for them do we sigh. 
And in dreamings oft see them as tho' they were nigh; 
Their sweet voices greet us, they seem within call, 
To share our own confidings, the dearest of all! 

Home, home! Dear, dear home! 

There's Elysium and bliss with our loved ones at home! 

We trust we shall see their loved faces again. 

In our dwellings contented, all thatched from the rain; 

No scene is so tranquil, no cure like its balm. 

That in sadness so cheers us as loved ones at home! 

Home, home! Dear, dear home! 

There's Elysium and bliss with our loved ones at home! 

There, sorrows are soothed as Angels above; 
There are shared our misfortunes with pity and love. 
And a joy to our hearts shall its memories be, 
Of the dear ones at home, remember at sea. 

Home, Home! Dear, dear home! 

There's Elysium and bliss with our loved ones at home! 



36 ^1 GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

Jason called aloud, 'Spread all sail.' At distance 
mermaids were seen parading in seaweeds, calling 
' Ship, ahoy ! Ah, there ! and say ! I say ! ' ' Epi,' the 
cook, took it down among his recipes, that later, I 
may repeat. 

During the singing of Orpheus' song, the old 
sailors hid their faces in their broad, rough palms — 
the ears of all were listening. Some jacket sleeves 
were wet, that came not from the salt sea, and, when 
he ceased his singing, they gazed upon him with 
strange admiration, as tho' he were a guide, inspired 
by some blessed spirit, not of this world. 

And Hellene's daughters, classic models, from 
lowest limb in form to beauties famed accepted curve 
(in proportions eye complete) were at home, awaiting 
them. And little groups and bevies (companions of 
the students) smiled, and listened, conscious of Plato's 
sincerity, pleased with themselves and admired the 
warm reciter. Plato did not marry, and they won- 
dered why ; was it from fear that she would die, and 
he, like Orpheus, mourn for her? 

It was the Nation's greatest holiday. At this Olym- 
piad all the great and petty states of Greece sent forth 
their delegates and participants. The mentally 
equipped, the strong of arm, the swift of foot, the 
equestrian, with his native and Arab steed. The game- 
ster with his dice and tricks, the plausible and the 
dupe, the simple and the worldly wise. They came, 
like Egypt's locusts, or as tho' they flock'd to the 
Judgment foretold by the Prophets. Soothsayers and 
their oracles, snake charmers, money changers, and 
dealers in precious baubles. Lavarna with her thieves, 
and Voluna with her drones, who feed on others" store, 
that move with the caravan, leaving in their path a 
blighted trail. Then came the pretentious and the 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 



Z7 



pious, who came on ]MloTinia;ne to forg-otten shrines — 
sacred to the antiquated, valueless except for lucre's 
sake. And the bards and scribes (that falsely tell of 
wondrous things) , and the nondescripts ■, ho mock and 
trade, and set their stands with ingenious relics for 
the credulous to bu}'. Then came the vicious, the tat- 
tered and the better robed, with their retinue of slaves, 
filling the roads, the gardens and the groves of Tempe. 
And among the motley throng, the bacchanal and 
glutton — keen-eyed adventurers, and wealth with its 
pageantry and pomp — of either sex — for woman, not 
as yet, had been prohibited. They saw it all, and were 
not shock'd. but played their parts and won and lost. 
Lost, what ? Lost the power to blush ! They came, as 
barbarians, a lawless host, but human still. The 
young were carried and dragged ; the aged hobbled, 
worn and weary, in need of rest and food, and much 
commiseration. Yet be at the Olympic games they 
would, tho' never to return. And some (the few), 
with natures nearer the divine. They came to the 
Great Drama where Orpheus carried the most honored 
prize away ; remember it was long ago, 'twas told in 
Homer's day. Then, here stood The Hecatompedon, 
ere Phideas built the Parthenon. That multitude are 
dead and gone, their dust unurned, and all but 
Orpheus and Eurydice forgotten. 

" Sol lit this earthly panorama from sea to isle, from 
river's brink to mountain top ; the valleys and the 
groves were full of perfume, beauteous land, luxuri- 
ance everywhere — marred only by the unwashed ! 

The Judges — the Areopagites, in robes arrayed — 
W'ere there; they came at early dawn, and invocations 
offered to the Gods, the forms observing. Those 
nearest in silence bow ; 'twas to that indifferent host 



38 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

non-essential the words Great Jupiter approved, they 
heard them not — no reverence paid. 

" The muhitude nearer drew to the barrier stakes 
around the cordage. The Herald, with trumpet blast, 
held aloft the lists to follow out the order of the day. 
The coarser games, tho' lengthened tediously, were 
won and lost in noisy clamor — sport and wounds the 
usual casualties. The previous night had been to 
thousands sleepless, spent in bacchanalian revel, 
senseless song, and antic dance, where Terpsichore, 
with grapey breath, cut fingers never seen before, and 
the caterers gathered in the harvest. The more gen- 
tle, sensitive element were alarmed — took no part. 
Those from the ]Morea and Crete, with Jason's aid, 
found asylum within the sanctum's shelter ; they 
sighed to perceive the degeneracy of man in that as- 
sembled horde. The Muse had deserted the Loved 
Land since the last Olympic gathering — since the 
Argo sailed for Colchis — so short a time it seemed. 
The veterans and sedate, the wise and virtuous, w^ere 
at bay — were dumb ; they would they had not come. 
They came to hear Orpheus orate, and tell of the bat- 
tles of the Argo — see the games, and observe and 
worship at the statue of Olympian Jupiter, with its 
costly inwrought gold and gems. They would be 
safe, the discreet replied, and together congregate 
near the Judges' elevated stand, where strictest order 
is maintained, and would, as early as discretion war- 
rant, to their homes return ; 'twas thus resolved. 
This is no place for Eurydice, the betrothed, or the ma- 
trons and maidens who had ventured there, crowded 
and jostled in this maelstrom of humanity's remnants 
— not all such, believe it not, the worthy and the val- 
iant were there, mingled in the whirl and surge, with 
its Babel-clack of tongues, its scenes obscene, and law- 



ORPHEUS AND EVRYDICE. 39 

less enormities. Oh, for a Lycurgus or a Draco, to 
hold in check this liberty abused ! But what will not 
Orpheus' music do ! He had returned — had he not 
still'd the storms of the Euxine, opened wide the Dan- 
ube's mouths, and untamed man and beast driven to 
their lair, croaking and conquered. 

" Tradition, from its mystic volume, obscurely tells 
the Tale in varied phase ; compared herewith we fail 
to find comparison in any lyric song or tragedy — 
a morn, so happy-bright as That Olympic day, or so 
sad, so sorrowful an ending. 

" Manly Orpheus ! his mind at ease, appareled in 
his best, entered the Arena, and sang his psalm to 
Jupiter. Its rendition was inimitable, and in form, 
began by asking guidance of the Muses and favor on 
the multitude, and sang to Jupiter devoutly. 

PSALM TO JUPITER. 

Tune: " My Country 'tis of Thee." 

With joyful heart and hand we praise our native land; 

Loyal to her! 
Her mountain lands are free, our valleys to the sea 
Now render praise to thee — great Jupiter! 

Athens, our Capital, our voices shall extol. 

Join the applause! 
The Areopagus meet and adopt — discuss 
Commerce and happiness and righteous laws. 

Olympians Jupiter! false gods shall not deter 

One worshiper! 
To Thee our prayers we raise, worship and give Thee praise. 
For these our happy days — great Jupiter! 

This nation's natal day, we all Thy gifts display. 

Awards to her! 
Our shouts and happiness, our thankful heart's express; 
Us Thou did'st ever bless — great Jupiter! 



40 A GRECIAN, TRAGEDY. 

Father! continue us, in thy remembrance; 

Let naught deter. 
'Tho we have wandered far, we all Thy children are, 
Now bless us evermore — great Jupiter! 

The illiterate and wise alike praised, felt its force 
and application. Poets and orators listened and were 
amazed, wishing themselves such as he. 

Sages tell us that should he ever come from Heaven 
again he will be offered as a sacrifice — for evils done 
by others — to appease the offended Gods. Is it pos- 
sible? Can we be so base to slay him should he 
come ? 

All will be well, soliloquized Peneolope the faithful, 
and Aledia (Jason's wife) acquiesced. They super- 
vised the little circle in their charge. 



The Olympic Arena. 

Orpheus, like a second Hercules, stood forth, in 
form erect as Apollo's representative and music's 
lord. Then, from deafening clang from Pan, with 
all his l)and, in medleys bray, in mimicry grotesque 
beat their gongs and blew their brazen-throated 
trum])s : and for a while hoarse throats w^ere closed 
and Orpheus' theme was heralded aloud, and hushed 
was all the clamor. His renown was widely known, 
from Macedon to mighty Bablyon, from Sicily to Sa- 
lem — " The Young Apollo." The theme was then 
announced : " The Argonauts' Return ; Adventures 
and Heroes of the Argo." Like unto Hercules of 
great renown, he in fluency of speech gave record of 
the glorious voyage, even as his great progenitor 
who brought the golden apples from the garden of 
the Hesperides, and the hundred-headed dragon slew 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 



41 



that stood on guard — even as he, the Argonauts, 
stormed the Forts of Colchis, battled and won, with 
Media's aid, the stolen Golden fieece. And Jason, he 
avowed, deserved the largest salvage ; and rough 
Jason smiled upon Media at his side, and other deli- 
cate cheeks were rippled as Media blushed. 

Orpheus in clearest tones, that were intoned and 
heard afar, recapitulates the incidents ^ — the miracles, 
the moats, the walls and gates o'erthrown in plant- 
ing their banner on the citadel. Aloft he held the 
symbol of the Grecian states, that had waved defiance 
to the world. There was a pause, for Jason from 
the Judges" stand proclaimed aloud, " X^eptune, great 
Ocean's king, the Argo we dedicate to thee," and 
again the trumpet blared aloud, mid shouts of "(ireat 
Captain ! great ship !" The log and record of the 
voyage were recorded at the F'arthenon at divine 
Athena's shrine. And Orpheus resumed and drew 
comparisons of valor with the renowned of Mar's 
heroes — Codrus. Theseus and Achilles- — with Jason 
the daring — the hero of the Argo. Then the valor 
of the crew and the incentives that led the way to vic- 
tory (facts historic) ; then the constancy of each ally, 
composed of the people and princes of the states. 
Nor was Media or the Penelopes at home forgotten. 
Had they not furnished indispensables for the voyage, 
cared for children with comforts scant, and offered 
prayers for them when they were far away ! In com- 
parison he named them among the martyrs — the 
heroines of all time. 

Orpheus, with his large blue eyes, by intuition 
guided, saw among those earthly goddesses his own 
Eurydice. He knew who in affection, in form, in 
face and grace excelled all others. His quick ears 
knew her Doric accent, with its endearing modulation. 



42 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

No other she possessed such proofs of joy and love; 
she was the one bright Hght to him of earth. 

Then gave he the pilot deserved laudation, and 
meted out to all full share of glory — the single and 
combined actions and .successes of his fellows of the 
voyage — till kindred, standing there, were by varied 
passions moved, from tears to boisterous acclaim — 
as tho' each friend named was the one particular and 
deserving hero. The part he took himself he men- 
tioned last and least, guiding his thoughts and words 
with modest truth, such as draw silent admiration 
from sage and stoic. Even then and there he had 
Eurydice in mind, and she aware for she was there. 
Her own beloved, was it not confessed in the roseate 
glow that her fellow maidens lack'd? 

There is a climax in life's drama that comes but 
once — when we love. At that supreme moment, un- 
conscious of its decorum and unforbidden, she ran 
within the Arena — childlike ran — and bending low 
— kiss'd his disengaged hand. Whereupon, ere she 
had gained the place from whence she sprang, an- 
other and another shout rang out, that echoed in the 
air. It was a paean of praises, unstinted from a mul- 
titude. 

Those shouts were not for him alone — plighted to 
him was she and many knew thereof. It check'd but 
did not ruffle his placid brow or mar the theme. 
Orpheus but smiles as she retired, in peril, in uxori- 
ousness of feeling. * * * 

He knew it not — it was a parting, a last kiss. The 
Judges, invested with the robes and dignity of sages, 
noted not the intrusion. 

He had produced again the songs and tunes of 
Mars and Neptune, that fires the eye, that rallies war- 
riors of renown, and prehistoric heroes lived again — 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 43 

such themes that nerve the brave ; that battle for the 
right ; such as buiU the walls of Thebes and Salem, 
or flew to the rescue of a nation's rights — freedom, 
honor, symbol — earnest as those who plead a right- 
eous cause, or defend the oppressed, forward and on- 
ward to conquer. They had opened barred gates, 
sunk pirates fathoms deep ; those cruel fiends who 
build their ships with prows like vulture's beaks, with 
expanse of wing that outspeed the gull ; to swoop upon 
their prey. Now safety, peace and plenty follow on 
land and sea and they are feared no more. P.ellona 
ceased her bellowing, envy hid her face, and the fore- 
boders and their oracles are silent. 

Their patriotic souls were moved to valor as Or- 
pheus continued : ' Media shall stand by Jason ; have 
they not as one circled the earth together? Now may 
the Graces — Autumnus, Felicitas and Flora — sit 
them down as household gods, in plenteous harvest, 
drink from Castilian fountains and feed upon am- 
brosia. The fruits of all the earth are ours, and who 
shall dare to cause us an alarm? The Driads, the 
Graces and the ]\Iuses are in harmony with Historia's 
record that cannot be effaced ! ' Here Orpheus 
paused, with look upraised, that appealed to a Judge 
they saw not, in motionless peroration. 

The shouters rent the air with cheers, in praise, in 
exaltation — they knew not when to cease ! Then 
the earthly judges from their seats arose ; their wands 
upraised and the olive crown presented, placed it on 
his brow, his head adorned, and many gracious words 
bestowed. The herald then announced aloud : " Or- 
pheus, of famed renown, has won the prize, the Olive 
Crown." 

Minerva's wisdom had been invoked, but Tasita 
and Muta were declared added to the Muses. 



44 



A GRECIAN TRAGEDY 



" Orpheus triumphant — ah hail! son of Apoho ! all 
worthy Orpheus ! " pealed in continuous roar that 
ceased not till tongues and throats exhausted were ; 
so beyond control were they, they would have deified 
him had not the day and place been sacred to x\pollo. 

Orpheus" voice and theme were so adjusted, at- 
tuned with truth and tenderness, that envy, spleen and 
perfidv impotent were 'gainst record of deeds so 
worthv — progress, conmierce, industry, freedom, 




PARTHENON, ETC., AS IT WAS. 

wisdom, peace and love! Was not the cargo of the 
Argo landed at the foot of the Acropolis ? The main- 
land and islets of the sea free — free to partake in 
equal and deserved share its frrits, its honors and 
protection. The grateful and ingrate tolerated — tho' 
distant as truth and falsehood — far apart as life and 
death with Lethe's stream between. 

This was ]\Iinerva's boast — Beautiful Athens I 
queen of cities, whose glories cannot be hidden — 



OKI'HEUS JXD iU'RYDICE. 45 

where the wise do congregate and send their sons, 
from whom rays of hght will shine and Minerva illume 
the world. Behold her architecture — Doric, spacious, 
grand and simple; her Ionic, conspicuous, beauteous 
and enduring, ijillared and adorned with statues of 
the Gods antl heroes, explanatory of her history and 
victories Her temples, parallelogram, similar to the 
Tabernacle of Moses, intended for religious and simi- 
lar purposes and the public good ! 

Twilight tinged the mountain tops with light, but 
when the pageantry of the day was o'er 'twas as if the 
sun was in eclipse, and Orpheus was all in all. Have 
they forgotten — Alas ! where was Eurydice ? True, 
the laurel with the olive twined was his, deserved ren- 
dition, worth's own most glorious prize. He was to 
sit on the table of the Judges in the Prytaneimi — his 
place was vacant except some cypress (symbol of sor- 
row) that there festooned, the seat, it spoke of be- 
reavement, sudden and severe — it was to have been 
a joyous feast ; it was smileless and cheerless. The 
Judge presiding gave scanty words of welcome, and 
briefly gave the cause of Orphetis' absence. 'The 
death of a very dear friend; " few there were that lin- 
gered at the feast. Others sought for him, spiritless 
and downcast. He did not appear in the procession 
triumphal. Honors and praises were conceded, his 
name revered, but there unsung. When e'er you visit 
Altis observe his statue, erected, placed there by those 
who knew and loved him. * * * Return with me 
to the time when the prizes were awarded and Or- 
pheus was crowned, the Judges gone ; and now the 
wild youth's pupils of the Muses, in much numbers 
from the academies, even from Rhodes and more dis- 
tant lands were there, like untamed colts thev bear 
him off (tb.e victor) in their arms; aloft along like 



46 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

m 

Phaeton, driving the chariot of Sol ; horses unmanage- 
able that set the world on fire, and Proteus of the 
schools vainly made remonstrance. Bacchus' bowls 
were filled and filled and emptied ; stained were their 
costly garments with excess of wine, ere the cruse of 
oil went out. They knew not the torture that they 
caused; at length (how long he knew not) wearied 
with their uncouth noise and joy hilarious, Eurebus 
came to his relief — this prisoner prince escaped, in 
darkness breaks away, and is with Jason in the free 
air again. His first and instant thought is now to find 
her he loves — haply she has long since retired to that 
asylum prearranged for, ere the day began, obtained 
within a sacred grove for the maidens and matrons of 
Athens. 

Hastening through the groves to find, they meet a 
group of women, of Eurydice's fellow-mates, com- 
panions of the day. who were returning on the road 
in search of him. They, in loose ungirdled robes, 
with countless voices sought to tell him that — that 
Eurydice was dead ! Then, as one dazed by clash and 
flash from clouds that break the mast, he stood aghast ; 
striving to ravel out their strange and wild exclaim- 
ings ; at length a matron, "Mother of the sons of Dio- 
gorus. he who in excess of joy expired upon hearing 
that his sons had won prizes (years a gone)," she 
briefly told the sad, regretful incident ; that Penelope 
suffused in tears (who was to have been her thal-ame- 
polos at her bridal) confirmed. Trembling he com- 
prehended, he understood it all. " Eurydice had died 
with excess of joy (so died Sophocles at close of his 
dramatic victory)." * * * j^ ^^,^g ^^ ^j-,^ time 
when Orpheus was crowned that the crtiel Fates (so 
'tis said) stung her and she died. They sought to 
resuscitate the breath and the jnilses of her tender 




,,Uirs VNVMn.KD WITH THE OLIVE CROWN - HE IS CAKRIED OFF BY THE 
' ■ ■ STUDENTS — EURYDICE FAINTS WITH EXCESSIVE .lOY. 

(By Charles Selkirk, Artist, Albany, N. Y.) 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 47 

heart in vain ; no wound was visible. Then, as tho' 
he had received a wound as fatal, he fell upon the 
earth and gave the first groan and shed the first tear 
his brave and harmonious sonl had ever uttered. And 
other tears were shed by that pitying, mourning- 
group of friends. \'ainly did Jason seek permission 
that Orpheus might see her body in the sanctum. The 
answer came, " The desire was human but inadmis- 
sible, impious to the solemnities of Diana." 

With other thoughts, later, at midnight, they were 
met to gaze at distance upon her form, as upon a 
palanquin beneath a silken canopy she lay, like a 
beauteous model for a Phideas chisel, or twin figure 
to mate with Athena's in the Parthenon — her para- 
gon, in form and feature. War's veterans, unused to 
pity, felt his grief ; supported Orpheus, at times cov- 
ered their emotions with their mantles. Manly cheeks 
were wet for him in fellow feeling. Those friends, 
sons of Mars and Neptune, led him to their tent, and 
sought with wine and words, in their honest, un- 
polished way, to bring him to himself again. He 
was conscious only of having fallen from Heaven to 
earth, powerless before all-potent Pluto. His sting of 
death. Eurydice had been carried to the sanctum 
of Cybele — she was to be intombed near the shrine 
of the Goddess in consecrated ground, whither Or- 
pheus knew not. The grounds are at Elis in the 
"Elysian Fields" (so called), on the plains of An- 
tilata near a Temple and statue of Olympian Jupiter, 
and numerous shrines were near. The oracle thereof 
refused admission or delay, for insul^cient reason 
given " That many hours had passed away ; ' " that 
the Olympic games were on," and that " ominous 
birds of pestilence had been seen flapping their heavy 
wings." The Sisterhood of Novices plaited buds and 



48 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

flowers that read. " Our grief is painful." and others 
that said. " Thy joy be evermore." Penelope was 
permitted to lay the garland on the pall at her feet ; no 
cypress or other profanation. Man, except at dis- 
tance, was permitted not to look upon her, claimed 
as she was as " Sacred from the shrine of Delos." A 
silent symbol of purity, a white rose, was in her hand, 
the other as a lily upon her bosom lay. And Orpheus' 
frame was greatly agitated. He was held in check by 
Jason and his friends — rude interference was impos- 
sible; it would have been sacrilege. The warders took 
him to an elevation where he could be nearest and 
see her face (as there would pass the cortege), but 
when it passed he was both overcome with sorrow 
and with tears. He was not deceived, he saw her — 
her placid, beauteous face, and would have broken 
from their charge to intercept, to stay the corse, but 
for the compelled restraint of friends and mutes and 
guards. 

It was between the midnight and the morning hour, 
long before the sleepers from their tents are wont to 
rise, that the funeral toll began. The torch-bearers 
(Galli priests) from the sanctum led the way. The 
priestess of the shrine presiding — stately and impera- 
tively ordering ; warders and mutes silently obeying — 
She. in her crescent, mural crown, with her sheaf of 
wheat inverted ; she with slow and measured step 
precedence took, and in loud alto voice proclaimed : 

" The pure, the beautiful are Diana's — sacred to 
Diana ! " Melpomene leading the vestal virgins, in 
sandaled feet and faces veiled, and lamps with 
flame extinguished : they held the cords and tassels 
of the pall under which she lay and others bore the 
burden. Nsenia's mournful chant was the funeral 
dirge. When it began with its wail of woe the sleepy 




MIDNIUliT FUXEKAL OF EUBYDICE. 

(By Charles Selkirk, Artist, Albany, N. Y.) 



ORFHEUS AND EURYDICE. 49 

multitude from their tents came out and endless made 
the long procession. 

Those solemn sounds, at stich an hour, caused some 
to tremble, but to Orpheus it spoke of hope and Life 
Immortal, and passing comfort gave. Again she who 
presided intoned : " Maiden thou art sacred to Diana ; 
her claims are first and last and all supreme ! " \'ir- 
gins replying. " To Diana sacred ! Revered and all 
supreme." 

They slowly pace the way. Nsenia singing : — 

THE JUDGMENT DAY. 

Bless'd day of peace, the promised day, 
When pains of earth shall pass away; 
Now, love divine, attunes the lay, 
They sing in heaven, O joyous day! 
Forgiven, they wt'U say. 

Cybeles, tintinabula. toll'd between the bars, and 
"Sacred to Diana." the response — Ngenia singing: — 

There, Seraphs with a golden scroll. 
Of names recorded will unroll, 
And paeans loud will welcome all 
Of Jove ordained, who heard the call. 
Of Him who loves us all. 

Still the tolling bell between the bars was heard, 
and "Sacred to Diana; to Diana sacred" — Nsenia 
singing : — 

Oh! happy day. believers say. 
Her soul has left behind earth's clay. 
To celebrate " The Judgment Day," 
Where bliss can never pass away 
Like the joys of yesterday. 

Glorious, glorious Destinv! 



50 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

Cybeles, tintinabula, faintly tolled again, and 
ceased with distant voices, " Sacred to Diana ; to 
Diana sacred." 

They had reached the entrance of the encircled wall 
and the funeral hymn and chanting cry grew fainter 
on the ear as they passed within its fold, where death's 
secrets are maintained. She was a novice of Diana's ; 
it had not been annulled, and 'twas known that none 
but the approved and pure may enter there. The 
brazen gates are l^arr'd as the cortege inward pass, 
and all without in gloom — in darkness grope, as 
they quench their torches and to their tents depart, 
with serious thoughts and sighs. 

Drooping Orpheus, all piteous, heard its last reced- 
ing sound and shed his tears in vain. The earth to 
him a desolation was, as Jason led him to his tent — 
what now cared he for fame or wreath of bay or 
laurel, Eurydice being absent and past recall ? He 
whose appearance once so brilliant was, now is ob- 
livious of himself. The morning broke — Luna hid 
her face in seeming clouds of sorrow. Diana in 
Heaven, through her Oracle from the shrine, con- 
veyed to him its definings : " That immortality was 
assured; that he a full fruition should receive of divine 
love ; that he should higher climb — obey and be satis- 
lied. There are many joys they had not known ; they 
will be reserved till then. Cannot he who gave us 
senses fit for earth's necessities give us others for de- 
light in Heaven? Kindred souls in joy will meet 
again." The Oracle so declared and he believed. 
This he had been taught in youth as verity to rest 
upon, when of life weary she may — she will await 
him at the gate as she did on earth — memory will 
recall the forgotten from among the cherubs gone be- 
fore to that Arcadia ; there, singing the melodies of 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 51 

Apollo and Diana and the Muses, that never tire; 
where Deity presides of whom to know we part with 
all below ! Severed here reluctantly yet buoyed by 
hope of greater gain, more perfect be and satisfied. 

This belief in varied phase to Jason would he re- 
peat, till Jason saw that reason reeled ; was his fellow 
sailor sane? Will he, like Deucalion, be perserved 
from this wreck, this deluge, or will he as Evadne 
throw himself on some funeral pyre, or drown like 
IJero in the Hellespont. The Fates are unbending; 
why should their wrath on him be piled mountains 
high ; " Pelion upon Ossa? " No vengeful Furies, no 
Nemesis, sought life for life for evils wrought by her ! 
'twas false. 

\^ain soliloquies, recalling memories of Historia's 
mortals, the true and fabulous. There is no receding 
from Nature's laws and fiat! In his anguish he ex- 
claimed: "Jupiter! great Jupiter! this life that 
opened so propitious now a chaos. Pluto then has 
conquered, holds his biprong'd fork aloft with regal 
sway — Imperator. He has again struck the earth and 
cleft a chasm to Hades to engulf the beautiful and 
true ! She was not born to die and mix with reeky 
clay ! " EurycHce. if 'twere possible, where'er she was, 
would give him cheer did she but know ; how could 
she? there is no comnuming of the living with the 
dead ! 

In life, she knew (in thought) he ever carried her 
in his bosom, from earliest thought of woman, ere he 
saw her in Diana's train. Then Aurora smiled and 
lit the mountain tops of his ambition in planning 
paths for her to tread where he in joy would lead her. 
Then it was he sang with heart and voice, gave thanks 
and praise. Then, tho' absent long upon the ocean 
(in thought never was she far away). Together had 



52 A GRECIA'N TRAGEDY. 

they not listened to the rising lark sing- its rondelay 
of song, its mate the while attentive to its faintest 
warblings in the upper air outpouring ; it might have 
fiown to Heaven so high he was ; he could not stay 
away from her he loved, tho' half the world was in his 
vision, full of attractions, but came again to earth to 
tell it all in fond afftliation. Thus had Orpheus re- 
turned to Athens to recount his travels and tell his 
love. 

Can no deity proclaim she shall return and speak 
as, when her voice at even-tide, as Philomela movest 
singing to its love, in sinless innocence she sang ; as 
he, blissful, praised her joyous carolings, and inter- 
changed their thoughts — she, whate'er the theme, so 
comprehending, so intuitive, so divine ! Such were 
his delights in her; 'twas excessive adoration — in 
memory they became oppressive and proved expres- 
sions of a mind astray. 

" Eurydice in Hades," he would say — seek her 
he must, he will, and lead her forth from darkness 
into light. He will watch at her tomb and woo her 
shade if it appear, or as Luna gazed upon Endymion, 
and when she wakes be there ; then rove the Elysian 
Fields with her, and Lethe's stream no more he 
feared. There is no place in Tartarus for such as she ; 
such were his plaintive and intercessant cries. 

\Mth such as Jason, pity it did invoke. But who 
were those who callous were, who heard at times his 
passionate bewailings — ■ he whose smiles once lit ad- 
miring eyes of others ; they pitied not — they but 
seemed to angry grow at his cold looks, averted face 
and brief replies to their civilities. They were the 
worldly-minded, the motley crowd who disbelieve in 
love, such as barter their affections at highest price 
or soundinof title — semi-sincere worldingfs who wan- 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 53 

der and seek they know not what — who fly and ig- 
nore a dethroned queen they once flattered, feared and 
envied, and cringe to fortune's soiled idols. Eurydice, 
dear felicitas ! they are the harpies of shame, false 
show, duplicity and discord. As tho" present, he 
would exclaim, " Avaunt Psyche ! Electra awa}" ! thy 
supposed enchantings are perfumed mildew ; thy pre- 
tensions vain and odious — away ignis Iris ! away 
Voluta ceta Gorgons ! Helena, Driope, nor Venus 
self with all their charms, no semblance have com- 
pared to thine ; their gaudy plumes but attract the 
vulgar A^ulcans and the begrimed — could they but 
gain one only of thy perfections, 'twould shine a 
bright adornment beside their borrowed, ill-gotten 
tinsel. They are the consorts of their kind ; carrion 
creatures, night owls and hawks, with evil eyes alert 
to ensnare the unwary innocent." Thoughts and ut- 
terings rash his disordered mind evolved ; with feverish 
eye, wringing hands, bewail'd in broken voice, as tho' 
replying to some unseen presence, he would say : " 1 
will be heard, dread Pluto, in power potential, if 
thou art of Hades jailer, be pleased to prove thy right 
to stay, or take her hand from mine — mine of earth ! 
Human, my kith and kin! Til not believe she's dead 
— thine doth lack vitality and are repulsive. Despot, 
why with thy fatal power the sapling blight, whilst 
hoary trunks fruitless rot, are ready at thy beck — my 
branch was beauteous with bloom, that bless'd with 
its touch ; why should it die ? He scorns to make re- 
ply ! " 

But Nature then, as now, had bounds, or the 
bruised heart would break or brain congeal. Mor- 
pheus benumbed his form, the eye closed, the hand re- 
laxed, tears dried upon his cheeks, his strength the 
long hours collapse, and sleep disturbed, at last be- 



54 ^4 GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

came an opiate. Then as the unwieldy globe swung in 
its orbit, came vision after vision ; trembling saw he 
and heard again " The Midnight Dirge, again saw 
he the cortege pass, and noted all the followers. He 
knew the air they sang; it was impressed upon his 
brain, ' The Judgment Day.' He strove to join its 
human lamentation, and he thought 'twas just that he 
must cry and share the common doom. He saw them 
cheery, going on their way as on a pilgrimage (there 
was no need of harp or lyre, for their voices chimed 
joyful to a measured step) ; then Xsenia's faint, soft 
voice he heard again (as the lull of the winds after 
storm, when the tired sailor lays him down to sleep) ; 
it seemed to him to say : ' Behold, mortal ; a new day 
— Inmiortality ! ' " 

IMMORTALITY. 

Bright day of peace — Eurydice! 
Night and storm have passed away, 
And love divine now bids thee stay 
To sing in Heaven thy Dorian lay. 
Cherubs shall there unfold the scroll 
And Heroin's approved extol — 
To bless thy name and loving soul 
In song and joyous madrigal — 
To recompense life's' brevity. 
And give thee all eternity, 
Wherein to joy more happily 
Together — dear Eurydice ! 

Thy stidden light, it passed away. 
To shine again as '" Dawn of Day," 
For love divine would have thee stay 
To make his realm a nightless day — 
Angels their choicest garlands bring, 
Happy throngs of seraph's sing. 
To bless thy name, resound thy fame, 
In songs that joy and love proclaim — 



ORPHEUS AND EVRYDICE. 55 

There shall no moaning psahnody 
Complain to chill the harmony, 
But wreathed with smiles of purest ray 
And thou his praise and crown and bay 
And Orpheus — with Eurydice. 

It was like a mother's lull-a-by : Concordia's invo- 
cation to the Supreme that could not be denied. He 
calls her name in sleep, and reason'd " Can dread 
Pluto hear ; can tears to Prosperpine avail ; can man 
conquer thee by daring- or liberty obtain for her? 
Did not Bacchus rescue Semele and Jason rescue 
jMedia. Pluto ! thine is Proserpine, render Eurydice 
to me ! Erato, Muse of Love, canst thou not open 
Hades' caves, and from its fabled mysteries bid her 
come forth — I wait ! I wait ! Zeus lengthen out the 
vision. He sped along another Colchis road — he 
would not be delayed, tho' at Minotaur's sepulchral 
vault they bid him halt. The guards and ghouls were 
so absorbed at sight of his wan face that tho' in lost 
estate and callous to hiunan cries they let him pass. 
Was it possible? Pluto, too, was silent, for his con- 
sort. Proserpine, for ()rpheus was pleading. The 
wicked feel the effect of tears and pity their fellows 
in distress ; she thus her wishes did express, they will 
prevail. Pluto will not thwart them. Now Erato ! 
with thy heartfelt lays, harp and voice endow that 
they may touch his heart and he relent. Then music's 
charm echoes through the concave with piteous 
sounds and pleas, till Pluto upon his burning dias laid 
his scepter down ; revoked Fate's fiat ; revoked his own 
decree as monarch of the realm ; resolved to rehabili- 
tate the one that Orpheus loves — with regal pomp 
and threat, and legal stipulation. She was to depart 
with this but one stipulation, most strange and special. 
" He nuist suppress all vain feeling, passions and af- 



56 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

fections given him by Jupiter — his hated l^rother, the 
great Imperator of Heaven, and if he fail (and Pkito 
reasoned that he would) he must destroy his harp 
that had gained him entrance ; depart without her and 
trespass not in Tartarus again. 

The gage accepted. " Upon her face or form to look 
not until she pass the boundary of his domain." 

Orpheus knew not his own strength ; his former 
boasted prowess now was weakness unweaned — 
Promise ! He would accept on any terms. He does. 

* * * Beauteous still was she as when they first 
were plighted, for thus in imagination he beheld her. 

* * * She comes, she comes ! Her step he knew, 
coming in haste his love and loneliness to cheer — she 
comes in a t^ood of light, even as a new creation 
Cometh — startling and bewildering — he has forgot- 
ten. Alas! he has, for in ecstacy, entranced, he hears 
her voice and turned about to meet, to clasp her in 
his arms and gaze upon her face. Oh, weak, impa- 
tient, affectionate man ! her doom is vmrevoked ; more 
vivid than the blinding flash of Cyclop's eye, or Vul- 
can's thunderbolts, the bolts have fallen ; Pluto, frown- 
ing, wields again his scepter and closed are the grated 
gates, with clang so violent that their clash did jar the 
earth, and Orpheus awoke battling at random, in 
darkness, saying, " She is not here ; she is not here ! " 
His nerves were like his harp, unstrung; his frame in 
sad abandon. Where were his laurels now. his harp 
and lyre, once potent with their power and harmony 
(given him of the Gods) ? He had, he thought, entered 
Hades' depths Eurydice to rescue ; but by man's love, 
impatience. Nature, weakness, lost her ; and rashly he 
exclaimed. "There is no resurrection!" ^^'ill he not be 
calm, it is but defer'ed. " He will never play again." 
It was the minstrel's final — the retreat besfan — th'" 



ORPHEUS AXD EURYDICE. 57 

battle lost and he among the slain. He groans and 
weeps at his defeat. IVestige gone, where shall he 
hide away? 

Such depths of sorrow Cadmus' words cannot trans- 
late ; those alone who deeply love may dip their pen 
in tears and write upon his tomb, " Here lies the dust 
of one who loved." 

This is a land of clay, of flesh and blood ; he must 
await time's fiat to meet again in some hoped for, 
promised, new existence. 

These events pass speedily. There is the eternal. 

To relieve this mental strain, this monomania and 
grief excessive, Jason, his captain, his loving friend 
by Neptune's mvstic ties, united gave him a brother 
sailor's hand. Consider it not strange that there is 
constancy and love of man to man; the other sex is 
not loved the less ; our mutual joys, trust and tears 
of this is evidence sufficient. Jason took him to sea 
again, and with him strove remembrance of the past 
to banish ; 'twas in vain. He pined away, even as 
Echo for love of Narcissus, ^^sculapeus, physician 
of the Argo, prescribed, but said, " There is no cure 
for love except reciprocation ; delays are fatal." 

They were at sea ; the voyage was long and stormy. 
Neptune and the winds were wroth. The Argo was a 
wreck. With many struggles Jason brought her into 
port again, where Orpheus' story and identity were in 
part forgotten. Many cycles of the earth had passed, 
dates lost and anchor gone ; but Orpheus knew^ he 
was again near Tempe's vale, where sane and sacred 
memories lingered. He could not stav awav ; he 
haunted all the groves as tho' demented, was shv of 
man and hid himself from woman's gaze, tho' some 
from childhood he had known — remembered, both 
good and true and fair — wandered at times he knew 



58 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

not where ; abruptly talked aloud with Nature when 
none were near but flitting birds, fauns and creeping 
things, as tho' instructing them incoherently. yEscu- 
lapeus was not in error ; reciprocation, where 'tis pos- 
sible, is the only cure for such a malady; delays are 
perilous, the mind may become a wreck, and what 
more sad can be, body and mind in collapse, at sight 
of which he abandons all his nostrums? 

The warders of the shrines knew him, and looked 
upon him as one risen from the dead — believed him 
dazed, for confused and wild were his replies, erratic 
and disjoined. They fed him; they were so directed 
from within, and to care for the cave in which he hid 
himself or slept and dreamt the time away. He noted 
not who furnished his abode. He would sit and gaze 
at the moon and weep when clouds obscured her face 
— an illusion flickered in the retina of his mind that 
her dear profile saw he there, and gazed thereon as 
tho' awaiting loves beacon, oblivious of surroundings, 
till shivering with the morning's mist he crept within 
his cave and fell upon his bed of leaves. Near where 
he thought they laid her he brought mosses that he 
gathered 'neath the cypress trees — the creeping 
myrtle and the blue-eyed violet, ferns and water lilies, 
and sometimes the thin-leaved willow that grew and 
drooped beside the brook. He fancied that she knew 
he laid them there ; and as he sighed Eurydice ! a 
soft aeolian sound swept along the reeds near him, 
that seemed to whisper " Come ! " Prepared he was to 
follow, but when again he listened it was gone. Yet 
no delusion was that word, come, to him. Night was 
his day, for then Philomela came with its plaintive 
song that sweetly touched his ear ; to this he listened, 
a soothing panacea ; yet at times it seemed to chide 
and bid his grief desist, with its " fi, fi, fi : te-rue, te- 



ORPHEUS AND ECRYDICE. 59 

rue, pt ! pe-te terue ! ! " The bee lingers not on a 
flower of sweets bereft ; the withered flower must bleed 
and die — sacred embers quenched; ashes are inurn'd ; 
who can the vital spark relume; who bring back 
the honey of her voice ? only memory ; it will recall 
its tone, her smile and love to him, tho' others may 
forget her name — at night, on the morrow and at 
noon, and be as caresses past, only his; her voice tho' 
heard afar he knew from any other, for it spoke with 
childhood's innocence. Aforetime, once, as he drew 
near her home he heard her speak his name, looking 
heavenward, as if absorbed in thought of him. His 
near approach was unobserved, but presently he came 
to her, elate and full of joy — joy like to that they 
ever feel who sing and breathe and live and love and 
idolize ! 

Lone Dove ! thy coo was all anxiety, tho' housed 
within till his, thy mate's return; then all within the 
Ark was joyous. Love is ever over-anxious ! O 
timid Deer, thou didst tremble at the twang of the 
sped arrow ; fly ere its speeding wound thee, thou art 
very innocent of harm ! And thou, sweet Laverok, 
thy song is all of love, for a call from thy mate on 
earth doth arrest thy singing midway in its glee ; for 
thou wilt dive with more than Eagle speed to thy be- 
loved — rise higher, she does not call, do not fear, she 
listens to thy solo. Had they not together listened 
in the glen, and exchanged affections heard therein? 
So akin it seemed they were. They are common 
things in Nature, given for man's and their own de- 
light ; they endure but for a day, and die. Such are 
intensified in man whose memory and love and soul 
survives — evil never sung with so trusting and per- 
suasive voice. Shall He weep again ; he has not 
ceased to weep, tho' tears come not. Shall he rush 



6o A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

into battle as Alenelaus at loss of Helen? There is 
no persuading libertine like Paris for him to slay. 
Shall he, with deadly hemlock, cheat Cerberus to pass 
him over Styx? Depart she thought — might it not 
flow on and land him on some molten wilderness of 
sand, where his wandering feet would sink to depths 
beyond compute, where none could extricate? He 
must await the river's tidal hour ere he sail to the Ar- 
cadia of his love. 

His walks with her had been where Flora had sent 
adrift her perfumes, that even now fan his fevered 
brow with fragrant waft. Would he were there with 
her again ; all else of value seemed to cease to be. He 
strove to apply the discords and the harmonies he had 
conceived ; speech was inadequate, tongues move not 
where the stamp of grief is indelible. Those affec- 
tions, those sorrows, were thaws that melting give re- 
sponsive echoes in chaste bosoms. Such rhapsodies 
possessed might, should — would open Eden's Gar- 
dens, where man again might enter. It was at such 
a height of purity and ecstacy with them, when the 
Olive Crown he gained and Eurydice expired — 
strange bliss or pain, to die with joy. It was too pure 
for earth, and perfect, and therefore was recalled. She 
did not live to tell him of her joy at his success ; her 
demise was an all-sufftcient proof. What now was 
left for him to love? Hover nigh, bright " Dawn of 
Day," for clouds obtrude ominous presaging thoughts 
repulsive. His Harp and Lute are out of tune, and 
Orpheus undone. This, alas ! is oft the fate of the 
good — the truly great. Eate is incomprehensible; 
the good deceived, awarded with disappointment; 
hereafter there must be adequate fruition, else (if not 
so) man, of all creatures, in his life and death, must 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 6 1 

be deplored ; it were better he had not Hved ! Censor 
rude! hold! progress is Nature's order of her day, and 
be so, will, to all eternity. In the linal all will be well. 
Scholars of the Academy, I assert, reiterate, futurity's 
delay will unfold itself propitious. This life is as 
Cadnms' Letters, the key to our knowledge of the 
present and its possibilities, reaching towards the 
mind, knowledge and soul of The Divine that abides 
and dies not! Depend not on philosophy alone (ever 
fallible), 'tis but the alpha to the unknown for which 
we strive. 

Do we not feel pride in the good and true? The 
wise, the explorers, the heroic, and those who have 
created our temples and adorned our shrines to in- 
struct the living and honor Jupiter. Such as Musical 
Orpheus and Sappho — Jason, Theseus, Talemon and 
Solon? They, tho' dead, still live. They are the con- 
ceded princes of the world — equal to Apollo, each an 
Hercules : remember their achievements, courage and 
results ; they challenge comparison from Historia's 
pages." Thus was the theme portrayed by Plato, in 
words and thoughts harmonious, embracing many a 
song and story. With much solemnity he continued, 
saying : " Those Bards and Sages live again ; and in 
their children here assembled, resume their vitality 
with possibilities unbounded ! " Plato paused, for 
now was the proud strain of valor seen in every nerve 
of his fellow students. Erect stood the untamed sons 
of Hellena, from Rhodes, from Crete and Cyprus, from 
Colonies and Islands far and near, ready to man a 
thousand Argos for any enterprise, to dare — to con- 
quer, or to die ! What were floating Pirates or Boreas' 
storms — what the Harbor bars or guards their stone- 
closed ports ; they will prove that valor is invincible. 



62 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

The unknown seas now speak of them, our ships pass 
to an fro to strange lands, unexplored for ages. O'er- 
thrown are their uncouth Deities. The soothsayer 
and his dupe set free. No sirens' songs, with tawny 
skin, tho' fumed with dust of spice or ointment costly 
or color'd daub, hath power to charm or fright. The 
Argo's crew were true to home and kindred. They 
bethought of the voices and forms of Phideas' Models, 
that then, as now, our eyes behold ; that retain the 
charms we cherish and protect. Such was in part the 
Theme that Orpheus sang as the Argo passed the 
abode of the sirens — and the Pilot and the crew were 
safe. This scroll is the Mermaid's Song before men- 
tioned, as told by Epicurus, found among his pre- 
serves, and its preface. As the Argo passed the en- 
chanted isles " They hailed us with. Halloo! Ah, there! 
Halloo!" 

SONG OF THE SIRENS. 

We be Queen Phoebe's daughters all; 
To merry men we sweetly call 
Come! Come and see our coral cell. 
Adorned with pink and pearly shell. 
Here you may clasp a siren's waist 
And fruits forbidden pleasure taste. 

As by their rocky isles we sailed, they waved their 
fins and flap'd their tails, and then they sang: — 

See here, you man, to us oh come, 

We'll let you taste of luscious rum 

Of nectar made. Come swig and sip 

Grog better than a-board o' ship. 

We'll trim your beards and show you where 

The pearl and ruby grottoes are. 

Ah, there! See here, man, man! Mermaid, 

The foaming surf for love was made. 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 63 

A water nymph they called Bapta invited us to come 
ashore, and louder sang- than ever: — 

See here, you man, my dears, my dear! 
Pleasure island is right here: 
We'll decorate your necks with pearls; 
Come, romp with us, the siren girls. 
Our gems and sapphires you may share 
And full-blown two-lips kiss a pair. 
Now come, oh, come. Ah, there, ah there! 
The mermaids' bed is here, here, here! 

Brine and bilge-water, boys ! The pearls that on 
their bosoms lay had no place to hide away. 

Then sang their queen, in weeds of green — 
Come, see my nymphs for sport array'd. 
Now, Phoebe's daughters I'm afraid 
You don't behave like courtesans. 
Let them our new acquaintance make. 
Splice the main brace and give and take. 
Ah, there! seaman, mermaid! 
Come, loll upon our mossy bed. 

To stop their gab, " Old Nep." grew mad and awoke 
a storm from the nor'west, and with a scream they 
vanished as a dream. 

Their arms were flesh, their tails were fish. 
They were baiting us, to fil] their dish. 
With teeth as sharp as tiger claws 
They were to fill their hungry maws; 
We were to have a coral bed 
When dead as herring that are red — 
One siren rode upon our anchor bar. 
But the pilot swab'd her off with tar. 

Those blink-eyed beauties made quite sure we'd furl 
our sails and go ashore, but the " Yargo " sailed right 
on her course, as tho" our ears were frill o' wool. 



64 A GRECMN TRAGEDY. 

And, messmates ! " Epi " vouches that the yarn is true. 
The landhibbers gaped with open mouths. And the 
" Old Sahs " laughed, Ha-ha, Ha-ha ! 

This recital caused a laugh ; they had been serious 
till then. But when the merriment subsided, Plato 
excused himself for this innovation and continued : 
" Doves, our mates, with their pure arms, will en- 
trance find to hearts at home, and the Hawk and Vul- 
ture fail ; they live on carrion. ■ Here Ceres smiles 
propitious, and Flora in perfection blossoms. Indus- 
try adorns the walks and groves. Heroes walk the 
Earth foremost in the van, seeking the Divine. The 
whole earth giveth its increase, its fruits abound ; Na- 
ture's intent, to fill the land and seas with plenty — 
with corn and wool, and oil and wine, the promised 
recompense of labor; those blessings, these gifts are 
trophies, rewards to the industrious and deserving; 
for these. Great Jupiter be praised. His approval and 
the proofs are here. There are many Argo's heavy 
laden, anchor'd ol^ the Piraeus, from many open'd 
ports, both in and outward bound." 

Again the assembled hearers shouted their applause. 
* * * In remembrance of Orpheus, Jason and his 
crew, be your praises and mementoes, may they not 
even now be cognizant of these sincere and generous 
avowals. The fire-breathing Bulls are conquered. 
Mars' blood-stained acres plowed with dragons' 
teeth, useless weeds uprooted and buried ; instead 
thereof, golden grain and liquid opiates richly satisfy. 
The Dragon and his guards subdued, and Neptune 
Triumphant." Then Plato's fellow students broke out 
and sang, as once the Argo's sailors sang: — 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 65 

A HYMN TO NEPTUNE. 

Neptune divine! The ocean is thine; 
We mark thy tides, we note their time, 
We sail their buoyant waves sublime; 
And all their breadth and length define. 
Reign, Neptune! reign! 

The earth would show a barren face, 
The rocks a blistered shaly waste, 
With verdure seared, to blinding dust, 
And the winds sweep it of its crust. 
Reign, Neptune! reign! 

Thy power hath proud Atlantis seen, 
Her domes engulphed in waters green, 
Her haughty kings and army braves 
Lie deep in thy all-conquering waves. 
Reign, Neptune! reign! 

Their continent of earth submerged. 
Her lofty mountains mined and surged 
And toppled by thy rising tides. 
O'er which the Argo sails and rides. 
Reign. Neptune! reign! 

The main, the main, 's the road to wealth. 
For commerce, luxury and health; 
Thy drops refresh the parched ground. 
Or human life could not be found. 
Neptune divine, reign! 

The Argonauts had cleared the seas of foes, till 
every wave, from pole to pole, was free. The Tropics 
opened their spic}' treasttres, and fruits before un- 
tasted, from every clime are ours, whereof Historia 
hath taken note, and unending praise awards. 

When on ocean Orpheus sang of Home, the pig- 
mies and the faithless fled to cover ; sirens and sea- 
maids lost their vaunted charms, and Amphitrite, out- 
of shame, lashed the ocean into foam and hid them 
5 



66 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

in the surf. The Tritons blew their Conks to decoy. 
The Porpoise leapt and the Dolphins' phosphorescent 
backs shone with weird light, delusive as Ignis-fires 
in the mirk, but Orpheus thought of Hellenes daugh- 
ters, to memory dear ! Conscious that amid Ocean's 
storms Great Jupiter was cognizant and benign, and 
held aloft awards for duties done, as up among the 
topsails furled they clung. The barren Islands rear- 
ward moved ; the dawn of brighter days had come — 
Pluto's realm of darkness could not bear the light of 
progress and not succumb. Neptune's far-reaching 
waves again are smooth. Jupiter presides and man's 
loyalty receives. Athena issuing Laws, and her peo- 
ple jubilant in holdiday attire. 

Who could have foretold at such a time the death 
of Music's Lord, or so sad a Fate as that befell both 
Orpheus and Eurydice? In love for Him she died, 
and He, for love and loss of her ; yet it is but a sem- 
blance, a passing incident, a chill, a stopping of the 
breath. Love cannot die. It is believed they are 
again joyous with undiminished love in Elysium. 
Pluto's shaft, that might have struck a Titan to the 
earth, found but a delicate, adoring woman. 

Homer! In other words, thy story we repeat. 
" Death saw a shining mark gathering flowers in the 
meadow lands of Enna, and with his trident cleft the 
earth beneath the feet of Proserpine, and Ceres, her 
mother, was disconsolate and found her not. She 
could have escaped, had she not eaten the forbidden 
fruit." 

Homer must have heard of Eve and paradise ; a 
story that the descendants of Abram have on record 
long before they went to Egypt. An Hebrew story 
of the Earth's Creation ; for. not dissimilar is it, as told 
by him. " Impatient Orpheus sought to recover Eury- 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 



67 



dice, as Ceres did Proserpine ; both were disconsolate 
and found them not." () fatal day when he was 
crowned ! and passings strang-e it was that Orpheus 
plaved a Dirge ere he closed the final of his skill. 
Nsenia, she who delights in funeral Hymns, suggested 




WTn?T4i\!U'''.l\in-.>-v\rti7--r:^;i_-^-V,,™_^ 
HOMER. 

it — • she knew that death and change are ever pend- 
ing, and, to him, urged music's sedatest cadence. 
There (the effect thereof unknown), 'twas at a time 
inopportune, so subduing came it, that 'twas as a pall 
thrown by some gloomy spirit over earth's dependent, 
loyal creatures, chilling as the winding of a serpent 



68 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

ere it stings. The concourse that but now shouted 
trembled as tho' Pkito had arrived and changed the 
Ohve into Cypress. By intuition, startled (its effect 
upon himself), he brought it to a close, and silent was. 
This by some was thought to be his peroration, for 
his Harp fell from his hand. What of Her? She 
had, in excess of joy. as Homer's Proserpine entered 
the suburbs of the Elysian fields of bliss ; Her joy at 
his success was overpowering, her breathing ceased. 

Flora came not at the shrill cry of Proserpine, and 
Orpheus might have called, and called in vain. A 
shock, an incident had happened, he knew not what. 
Yet he bethought 'twas near the spot where Eurydice 
had stood ; 'twas well he did not, or in passion's vio- 
lence he would have brought her forth from peril, 
tho' Cerberus barred the path, or perish 'd then and 
there. 

He who had made the Islands and the woods to 
move — the rocks to roll. The carnivorous to forget 
their hunger, the vile to listen, to regret their lost es- 
tate and lack of purity - — could he not succeed again ? 
Will he not dare to make the attempt to enter any 
where, and rescue her? His Harp and voice again 
were in accord, drawn at times so fine, to such a 
plaintive pitch, that the hitherto indifferent Ghouls — 
even the Furies, laid aside their nature's and serious 
became. What will not Harmon v and Love o'er- 



come r 



Eurvdice — the pure of heart ! She perceived from 
whom came all the joys of earth to her ; in him they 
all were concentrated. Wherein did he sin? To 
worship her ; none were so without defect ; possessing 
all the perfections that Athena, Diana. Juno or V^enus 
boasted. 

Helena, the Spartan, was a wife ; She, a love-con- 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 6q 

fessed, an affianced one. Oh, he will, if the Fates 
deter not, besiege the crater of Hades and rescue her ; 
who shall delay; who hinder? 

Again in vision he was rapt, but journeyed on till 
strange lugubrious mutterings of the doomed were 
heard, and again were silent, for his Harp was plead- 
ing in piteous petition, with words more piteous ; they 
were bent persuasive to powers within, to open callous 
ears till they become susceptible ; that he, the sup- 
pliant, bending low, might arise and entrance gain. 
Obtain such pity as in the Hebrew story Adam gave 
to Eve ; who, driven from gardens of ease to a wil- 
derness of toil, content departed to bear and abide 
the doom, if not deprived of her. 

She had passed over Lethe's stream, and he will 
dare to follow. * * * Then, then he thought, he 
sang and play'd continuous, seraphic, till the doomed 
in Tartarus rattled and clank'd their shackles in ap- 
plause and Pluto laid down his dichtomous fork in 
fret - — ■ surfeited with melodies and flatteries of love — 
pleas and petitions that tyrants dread and despise un- 
der pressure, gruffly suspend law and power. 

Music's persuasive key had won the obdurate to 
unbar the ponderous gates — Minotaur's dread cavern 
open to the abyss — sulphurous fumes arise from Vul- 
can's forge ; they do not injure ; they flame a lurid blue 
above his path in their escape towards Proserpine's 
strange temple, where by right divine Pluto holds his 
court. 

Indifferent He, to entrance or exit of mortal, be he 
man or slave; can he not make or unmake ; command 
and be obeyed in his own imperial domain ! 

Tyrants at times test the sincerity of subordinates 

and their allegiance prove. He hears Pluto debate : 

Is Love Jupiter's primal trait, bestowed on mortals 



70 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

and held by man as a hallow'd verity ! He hath en- 
tered here for love ; what will he not do in his per- 
sistency ; he will besiege the prison house of Pluto! 
Pluto will be dethroned by Love." Yet she, for 
whom Orpheus pleaded — ventured, was pure as Di- 
ana ; fit companion for a God, a work divine, in its 
self complete. Pluto condescendingly bade him look 
into futurity ; the untravel'd destiny was thrust before 
him, delusive. 'Twas brilliant, but momentary. There 
within the great hall at Altis saw he His own statue, 
a central figure surrounded by Historias, Victors of 
the Olympic Games. The renowned of fame. He 
standing on a pedestal as high as Apollo's. It was the 
Nation's Mausoleum of the departed, that the Sages, 
the Graces and the Muses decorate with apt and ap- 
propriate devices. The Fame-honored were in mo- 
tion, as tho' about to speak — as He awoke, at sound 
of his own voice in discussion with them, saying, 
" What are chisel'd stone but soulless vanities of the 
living? They give sepulchers, erect colossal statues of 
the Dead, and turn aside, refuse to see the wants and 
penury of the living. Was He worthy, must he 
bridge the chasm alone, deny a fault he would not, 
nor commit. Alas, who is faultless, who is sinless? 
If sin she had, let it be attributed to him, he so de- 
sired. 

She had ascended beyond where the Lark soareth, 
where guileless cherubs pose in innocent abandon. 
When on earth He sang the birds corrected their mis- 
takes and mutely listened ; 'twas to her joy unalloyed 
to hear, faultless as Erato's poesy. Deiope and all the 
beautiful deign'd to smile upon " The Young Apollo." 

The Muses, Judges in all the schools of Art, ap- 
proved the meritorious award, as tho' faulty were all 
competitors but him, and he, perfect was alone. 



ORPHEUS AND IirRYDICE. 



71 



Who can define the (hxanis of mortals, or the out- 
come of Hfe predict ? One act, nay, a word in error 
taken, may dethrone a king- and prostrate his strong 
citadel ! They say Eurydice, at the Arena, shed tears 
of gratitude to those who gave the applause, to requite, 
as best she could, their choice and condescension. 
They perceived, she Loved. Whilst He the while, in 
his theme al:)sorbed, sang on, yet 'twas to her he sang, 
for no other heart or ear was it intended ; it was, in 
part. His Love Confession, for so the final stanza ran. 

WHEN LOVE IS DEAD. 

Tune: "Bonny Doone." 

Tell, tell me not, that earth is fair. 
Where golden grain is waving. 
That limpid waters onward flow, 
Tlie flowers and grasses laving. 
Oh! what are they, or sacred shrine, 
Or fountains clear, or laurel grove? 
They all are blurred and colorless. 
When silent is the voice of love! 

The intent listeners imagined this to be a Dirge, and 
so it proved to be, for at its sadly sweet and holy close 
Eurydice fell into a matron's arms, where they fanned 
her pallid face, but fanned in vain. The spirit had de- 
parted and to the rear her form was borne. They 
thought she would recover — conflicting were the im- 
mediate cause assigned. 

When she w'as at his side and whispered " Sing 
again " — then as he sang it seemed to her the zephyrs 
breathing ceased — the leaves were still, creatures 
mute and motionless, the stars all aglint. Afar away 
the rippling streams beckon'd the Neriades, and they, 
from brooks and rivers peered, and would have left 



72 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

their watery abodes, had Xeptune been away, to 
nearer come and Hsten. Dear and perfect confidence 
— peace of mind, such only as the forgiven feel, that 
have ofifended. Then it was he believed himself in 
Eden's gardens, where they did wander. 

But now he was but a wreck'd vessel, driven by 
conflicting w^inds and waves — and again he dreamt 
that mind-absorbing theme — the rescue. Again 
he saw the gates of Hades open (dread place). He 
stood within and trembled, waiting till announced. 
The Tribes in Tartary fell back to give him place ; a 
stranger guest to them was He, their toothless jaws 
agape, wondering — strange miscellany, for Cupid was 
there; and Venus, she has right, she is everywhere 
Goddess. She boldly laughs at Pluto, as Cupid, her 
offspring is standing by, with his bowstring loose, 
its arrow, having pierced the callous heart of Pluto — 
even He. Love had conquered. Now Love was ex- 
emplified. He forthwith revoked the doom of Fate, 
as, with stentorian voice, " Orpheus," he proclaimed, 
" she shall arise ! " And renewed Auroral lights from 
Vulcan's fires threw rosy tints to light the way. O, 
joyous ! They are coming to his wedding. Diana's 
horn awoke the welkin — the Hounds are out — 
Eurydice was foremost in the Train of Nymphs. He 
heard the echoes ; nearer they approach. She is com- 
ing ! Coming to him, as 'twere, to escape to heaven ? 
No! 'twas to meet and Liberty regain? So real, so 
startling were its commingled sounds, that in excite- 
ment's ecstacy, He turned to see how near she was, 
and be the first to greet her; and again, thereby, his 
memory and self-possession lost — as tho' blind and 
deaf, with promises forgotten. Oh, rash, foolish, fatal 
look, He turned to guard and clasp her form, but the 
Furies in derision stormed with hiss and scream, as 



ORPHEUS AND EURVDICE. 73 

they hurried him along as one in banishment con- 
demned. Phito's stipulation broken, and the outer 
gate is open for his exit, that gaunt Charon, held ajar 
until he passed, and Cerberus, in his kennel, thrice 
howled in the gloom. He awoke, as one fleeing from 
peril, a dazed wanderer, bewildered in a thorny maze. 
And vaguely he exclaimed, " It was a Dream." 

Dreams are delusions ; the troubled body's sense of 
pain, a confused medley of chaos that usurps the 
mind, and the realities of life are all deranged thereby. 
He would that he could dream no more ; 'twill lead 
him to disregard and doubt the real. Alone, with 
stringless Harp, his Lyre broken, his crown a bauble 
— his Fame unnoted. How could he have thought 
for happiness it was essential ! His curls, through 
which the sun shone as they hung upon her bosom, 
now, by the winds and briars matted. The hosts that 
at the Games gave plaudit and applause gone, fled 
with Cupid to tropic skies, where wantons bud and 
blossom, and dissipate the time away ; he could not 
call them friends ; how cold they had grown, they used 
to bask at his table — laud his skill — praise his 
songs, even to repetition. O, then, his common 
speech was Iambic — Dactyl or spondee in faultless 
measure, and, like to Jason, with ever open purse. 
Compare not Him to them, with their glib tongues — 
court flatterers, insincere — pfau-J^rds, that obstrusive 
press their insipid inc[uiries and laugh and joke, in- 
sinuate and mock his woeful look. 

Then did he feel the world had ceased to Love and 
Deucalion's Flood should come again ; at best their 
words were chill and formal ; such as the Temanite 
gave Job of old. with argumentative philosophy, va- 
ried, meaningless and vapid — Orpheus dared not 
Great Jupiter malign ! Companionless (he desired 



74 



A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 



none). He for solace and silence, sought the inanimate 
— the woods and groves, where the Hemlock is al- 
ways green ; fit place to screen the wounded from pur- 
suit; there would he discover their secret balm or 
poison, and (if peace come) in the meadows find hid- 
den flowers and note their perfumes, forms petals and 
pollens and their varied shell and shield that protects 
the germ, life to perpetuate and wonder, and adore 
their Creator. 

There he would meet the timid Fauns, and let them 
stare at him. Wander aimless and alone. Nature's 
inmates will not molest — some cave will give him 
shelter; he will feed with them on leaves. Shy crea- 
tures will visit him — they never fled when he drew 
nigh ! A coney with its young once lay upon his feet ; 
with much ado it was he did not injure them. The 
birds would sing close to their mossy nests, as if to 
show him their hymeneal abode. They awoke for the 
moment responsive fellowship. He was conscious of 
their pity ; he could commune with them. To them 
he sang his plaint : — 

Tune: " Bonny Doone." 

Sing to thy mate, sweet bird again; 
Repeat it through the leafy glen. 
If she believe thy love refrain, 
She will, she will! be happy then. 
There was a time, that now is gone, 
When in my song I sang of love, 
Mine heard a call imperative 
To come and join the choir above. 

Now, as yon lark beyond the clouds, 
Who calls to earth so fondly. 
I would be rising heavenward 
To her who loved me dearly — 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 75 

To living ears those notes resound. 
With fondest trills of feeling; 
They gurgle, whistle, warble now. 
And all love's chimes are pealing. 

Brouse, timid deer, on mountain top; 
My arrow shall not pierce thee. 
Diana's hounds are leash'd in .sleep, 
Or they might tear thee fiercely — 
But haste thee on! why linger here 
From her who loves thee dearly? 
May-hap, alike, she's dead and gone, 
As mine — and left thee lonely. 

No! tell me not that earth is fair. 
Where golden grain is waving, 
That limpid waters onward How, 
The flowers and grasses laving. 
Oh! what are they, or sacred shrine. 
Or fountains clear, or laurel grove? 
They all are blurred and colorless, 
When silent is the voice of love. 
Eurydice ! Eurydice ! ! 

Morpheus, with his recipe for sorrow, soothed and 
kindly bathed his brow with drops from Lethe's 
stream. The perfumed zephyrs fanned the hectic tiush 
— Nature, tired, more firmly closed his eyes, and tur- 
bulent thought was cahn again. Tears adown his 
cheeks had coursed ; tears reheve, then may fohow 
tranquility — pain's estoppel — symbol of obliteration 
of sin and pain and thought. Blessed Jupiter ! Be 
it so ! It doth not shut out memory and joy and Love, 
hope and they awake again. No more of Hades — all 
is placid now ; so long he slept that Urania and 
Somnus in thought's vision brought him scenes of 
others' sorrows to relieve, to mitigate his own — 
some of which he had heard the poets in story tell 
and glorify. They troop before him. " Endymion 



76 A GRECMN TRAGEDY. 

and Luna upon Mount Latmus." Luna's face was pale 
with watching, and Juno's with anger flushed — poor 
shepherd, thou didst aspire too high, thou were re- 
buked. Pride, weaUh and beauty were above thy 
sphere. Then came Leander, self-rehant, who nightly 
came and swam to Hero (he sighed in sleep piteously), 
the jealous Nereides have let him drown. She came 
to meet him at the sandy shore, where she could 
wade to him. She knew him true, that he would 
venture — rude Boreas with clouds frowned. A 
storm was on the Pont and baffled all his skill. O 
Love ! what wilt thou not do ? What not attempt. 
She waited long ; depart she would not — her bewail- 
ing never ceased till she embraced his form upon the 
beach, and, with him clinging, was by the receding 
waves submerged. Joy at last ! parted they were not. 
Then thought he of Polyzena (filial daughter to re- 
deem the body of a brother from the chariot wheels 
of an unfeeling victor, even to wed him), she, Priam's 
daughter. He was to restore the bruised and lifeless 
Hector (she had consented). Oh, she would thereby 
alleive the sorrow of her honored Parents, and Andro- 
mache's anguish and other kindred that Loved dear 
Hector for his valor, worth and manhood. With 
streaming eyes downcast, led by her mother, Hecuba 
— she beside him, took the place assigned. Oh ! 
what a marriage, a Lion with a Lamb — but the Gods 
forbade. Paris ! thy faults thou didst in part an- 
nul, when thou didst slay the lewd barbarian. Op- 
portune moment — successful aim, to drive thy 
pointed arrow through his hoof, his vulnerable part, 
and pin him to the earth — what tho' they burn Her 
body on His pyre to appease his manes. His Spartan 
Chiefs vaunted that if sacrificed to him, Achilles would, 
in the Elysian fields of bliss, enjoy her forever. That 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. yy 

existence is not for such as he! The Fates have 
seized upon his heel, hold and dip him perpetual in 
Styx baptismal stream. His name, tho" falsely 
boasted brave, is now despised, and Hector and Poly- 
zena honored and adored, and at the verdict Orpheus 
smiled in sleep. Then came Sappho, once so praised, 
so wise, so beautiful. Mistress of the Muse, who had 
so lately Love's songs sung, that did elicit praises 
from Poets and from Princes — from broken rest she 
came distraught with Love. Love of Phaon. Love, 
tho' made evident in delicate avowal — unrequited. 
She, weird-like, strayed upon the Lucadian Rock (in 
fate's defiance), upon the brink of which she sat to 
scold the ]\Ioon — tear her hair, deranged and raving, 
fell into the Ocean's depths. In restless agitation he 
sprang to save her, and awoke, with every limb in 
tremor. 

Then came an hour, ah then ! his thoughts reverted 
to his mother — next in dear remembrance — ever 
Dear ! who in past early lull-a-bys first kindled har~ 
mony and nuisic's flame within him ; long before his 
teachings by Apollo. She, who purity inculcated and 
the foundation laid of manhood, for she upon him 
left her noblest impress, thev still were his, tho' dead 
she was. P)reak thy Harp Philomon ; Hermes, un- 
string the Lyre. Music is mute when Love is dead ! 

Deem it not unmanly. He sighed, for a return of 
her maternal care, her guileless Love, on whom to 
lean and hear — listen to her sage and womanly con- 
dolence. Who shall guide him now — no Mentor — 
Pilotless, anchor lost, reason wreck'd — upon a shore- 
less, stormy sea. 

Weep for the disappointed — for Sappho, the Sweet 
Singer, for Hero and Leander, and for Orpheus and 
Eurvdice ! 



78 A GRECMN TRAGEDY. 

And Greece and Athens have other games they cele- 
brate resumed again near Tempe's valley, where He 
liad eclipsed the assembled Champions and bore away 
the prize — a most notable event ! 

Attica's Feast of Bacchus 

Had been announced 'mid preparation vast to out- 
do the past in show and sport, and grand licentious- 
ness. But proved to be a hollow mockery, a senseless 
medley, a rabies' revel — Degenerate (ireece! Bar- 
barians from far and near had landed, and pollute 
the classic land, fill the Arena, desecrate the groves, 
invade the sacred temples and make a pandemonium. 
Wonder not that the Oracles therein ceased to foretell 
events. Thev feed and leave foul stains and scrap|s 
at the base of every statue, and camel-like carry their 
hampers, greasy with travel, that reek and breed con- 
tagion. They were assigned a place, where the wind 
would carry their fume seaward. 




iAOCHAXALIAX PKOCESSION. 



The procession ! the procession ! It comes heralded 
by Trumpet and Drum and Shout. Bubona with her 
white oxen garlanded in leading strings led by beau- 
teous children, with reins of flowers and ribbons, in 
mimicry of a sacrifice, to placate and prove Great Ju- 
piter had been propitious, followed by the shepherds 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 



79 



with their long-fleeced sheep and goats, and other 
caged and uncaged creatures. Next Autumnus, with 
her fruits of earth. Harvesters, with their sheaves of 
grain high piled on wains. Peasants of the fields, with 
their barley bread and figs, apples of Carthage, or- 
anges, lemons, sprigs of clustering filberts, branches 
of almond, with their pink blossoms, with mulberry 
and grape. Patient industry, a worthy sight displayed 
to swell a Bacchanalian pageant. 




BACCHANALIAX PROCESSION. 



These were followed by the ]\Iimic Muses, and each 
her calling symbolized. They were led by Mars, the 
callous, whose step did crush the atoms in his path. 
With axe and spear, fire and sword, as tho' coming 
from a recent slaughter, strutting as tho' glorying in 
deeds of blood. Appropriate, followed Tragic Mel- 
pomene with her dagger drawn, and Tacita the silent, 
with finger press'd upon her lips, and ^luta. with fear 
and utterance dumb. She pointed to a passed path 
stained with blood and ashes. Tears lay upon her 
cheeks, ready to fall. Xext. b}- her dress and lank 
visage, came a widow, dragging a tired child, shoe- 



8o A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

less and refractory — she would ! despite of Herald, 
have her say. She with pale, thin lips, said in bitter- 
ness of scorn (her lament and dissent of unrig'hteous 
war) : — 

THE WAR-WIDOW'S LAMENT. 

Behold the Spartans' Heliot warriors! 

This is Mars and these his followers. 

Himself and shield were thrown from heaven, 

And for his symbol fire was given, 

With wolves and vultures 'graved thereon. 

Barbaric things to look upon, 

Bringing blood stains upon the nation. 

Death, cruelty and desolation! 

Let those who wage the quarrel fight. 

Doth not weird famine thee affright? 

Jove filled the heavy ears with corn, 

That smiled propitious, all are gone! 

The fruitful fields seemed overjoyed. 

This. Mars and horse and fire destroyed — 

For food the helpless faint and moan, 

The wounded bleed, the cripples groan. 

And now they brag that Mars is brave. 

Who dares dispute, is not a slave! 

Here are the proofs that war is wild. 

Unjust to man, to wife and child. 

With disrupt homes, with thread-bare dress, 

That scarce doth hide their nakedness. 

Come child! and see thy father's grave, 

The state admits that he was brave. 

Compelled to leave our home and thee, 

Whom he had known so recently. 

Our wedded consecrated love 

Was all in thee — I'll faithful prove! 

Poor wounded warrior — all alone. 

The wolves have heard thy dying groan. 

And thus he died? 'twas hard to part; 

He left me with a broken heart. 

O braver far is he who toils 

At home, and shares not pirate spoils. 

Minerva, guide us! let right be shown, 

Then courage will defend its own. 



ORPHEUS AXD E CRY DICE. 8l 

She sorrowed much: 'iwas Love's recall 
And memory's grief the tears let fall. 
Her hand the child pressed to its face, 
Looked up more firm to cope with fate. 
Bellona's mercenary troops march'd on, 
And niock'd the words of her harangue. 

Then came Alilo and .Egean, the boxers and the 
wrestlers. INIen of sturdy liuild and sinewy arms and 
stony fists, to throw the javeHn, quoit or heavy bar — ■ 
followed by the sound of lung and lithe of limb to 
outspeed Mercury, to running gear denuded. The 
boxers bruised and bled like slaughtered carcases. 
The wrestlers trick'd and kicked, fell maimed and 
lamed, and the vulgar called it sport. But of w'hich 
Plato expressed his opinion, more in contempt than 
in anger, as he said : 

THE BOXERS AND THE WRESTLERS. 

They live their little day and pass away, 
Conquered at last by others, vile as they — 
What vanity of vanities! 
Brutal, without humanities. 
To wrestle, kick and plunge and mall. 
And cripples make of those who fall. 
Tho' e'er so beauteous, make a wreck. 
And throw him tho' it break a neck — 
Or mar his face with stony fist, 
His mother oft so fondly kissed — 
Hear foul-mouth slang in banter boast, 
Of their piasters won and lost — 
Bragging drones that loll in the sun. 
And the working bees impose upon; 
They are the buzzards of the plain, 
Carrion seekers shaming man's name. 
Keep well aloof from such as they, 
With such base tricksters do not play. 
Do not degrade thy country or clan. 
Fellow strident thy hand — be a man ! 
6 



82 '-i GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

Let the bulls rush, the cauines fight. 
And animals of lower type. 
Thy self-respect and name maintain, 
Reserve thy strength for righteous fame. 
Then shall the record be of thee — 
"He did his duty" — manfully! 

Then followed the Tritons with their trtmipeters, 
that blew their distended cheeks with blear-eyed 
straining; and goat-like satyrs leapt and wrestled 
with their horns and cloven feet ; and buffoons and 
loons and clown straddled along with grimace and 
painted face, and harlequins burlesque performed their 
parts to gaping, grinning crowds, and merry Momus 
held his sides till with laughter overcome — the rural 
boobies guffaw'd their fill. 

Then came Orythia, Amazon's queen, and Alacto 
with her company of man-women ; Hippona bold, 
straddling the quadruped, and other Furies in dis- 
guise of modesty devoid ; then followed a troop of 
barely-clad adventurers to show their graceful form, 
their knack at pose and postitre. When Venus passed, 
as she arose from the sea, supported by the Nereides, 
it was commented and appeared absurd that the bald- 
pate men, even the Judges, to see the sight, strove 
more excitedly than did the young. They offered as 
excuse, " That they with sight defective have to take 
a nearer look." 

An interval, but then came bevies of fair girls and 
youth garlanded and gay, and the God Bacchus in 
Nature's best array. A naked boy, naked as Cupid, 
dimpled, plump and rosy, sat with vine and ivy trail- 
ing, holding his scepter like a king; his golden car by 
subdued lions drawn. Silene. his mother leading them. 
She was there to hold them in check lest they should 
rampant grow and destroy both Bacchus and his wor- 
shipers ; and they, with band and voice sang merrily : — 




BIRTH OF VENUS. 



ORPHEUS AND EVRYDICE. 



83 




UEruKVTl.XG THE (JAIIDEN STATUE OF BACCHUS. 



BACCHUS IS KING. 

Tune: " Swiss Boy. 

Here we come with thy grapes, ruddy boy. 

From the vale of Ny-a-sas' fair land. 
Where the sun paints the clusters with joy; 

See they ptirple our lips and our hands — 
We will scatter the seed at thy feet. 

And train all their tendrils to grow. 
For each globe holds a delicate sweet. 

That our presses with nectar o'ert^ow. 

Then merrily sing, for Bacchus is king. 
He gives us the vine and its fruits that we bring. 
Evan! Evoe! Evan! Evoe!! 

Shout your joy, shout for joy! come and share, 

He hath open'd his odorous store, 
And his vine blossoms fill all the air, 

'Till enamored our senses adore — 
We'll drink from the sweets of his cup. 

We'll invite all the jovial to share; 
Then our tongues as the liquid we quaff. 

Will pay court to the young and the fair. 



84 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

Then merrily sing, for Bacchus is king. 
He gives us the vine and its fruits that we bring. 
Evan! Evoe! Evan! Evoe!! 

We will laugh, joyous laugh, ha, ha, haa! 

For its life-giving essence imparts 
A bliss that no sorrow can mar, 

As it lightens and brightens all hearts — 
We'll partake of this life-giving wine. 

As our festival time passes by. 
And when life's sun is on the decline. 

We'll sip its sweet perfume and die. 

Then merrily sing, for Bacchus is king, 
He gives us the vine and its fruits that we bring. 
Evan! Evoe! Evan! Evoe!! 




BACC'HA.XALIAX PROCESSION. 



And so they passed along ; but then came, Oh, 
shame! who can depict the opposite? 

Discordia's Harpies of contention, clanging their 
BacchanaHan tabors, led by Acrattis reeling, that the 
vine branches that they jointly carried, grape sprink- 
ling the way. kept from falling. They marched with 
ribald shotit and song. 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 85 

The Bacchanalian Chorus. 

Avo Avoa ! To Bacchus and the vine. The drums 
and timbrels beat, the l)rasses clang-'d and Pan piped 
derision's music in buffo. The choristers sang and 
croaked the BacchanaHan chorus : — 

DRUNK-FULL. 

.•\vaunt. spectre, morose! 

Fill up the bowl 

A fig! for the toll! 

Fill up! jolly Jocose? 

The vintage is on, 

This is our song, 

May Bacchus the revel prolong, 

Avo ! Avoa ! 
May Bacchus the revel prolong! 

And the swollen goats pranced in unison. 
Then sang Acratus, decorated, amid his grape and 
vine leaves full, but with utterance faulty : — 

TO BACCHUS AND THE VINE. 

Here's to wine! the ru-ruby wine, 

That has ran down my throat. 
Wine has no ch^egs if it is fine, 
And neither had-it-ought! 
Hie! Hie! Avo! Avoa! 
To Bacchus and the vine. 

When it is new, it-it is too thin, 

As posset, d-d'solved to pap, 
Fill me a flagon to the brim. 
Before I take my nap. 

Hie! Hie! Avo! Avoa! 
To Bacchus and the vine. 



86 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

When it is old and T"ve a cold, 

A cold I always dread. 
I fill my bowl with so'thing old, 
To, to, tinge my nose — a red. 
Hie! Hie! Avo! Avoa! 
To Bacchus and the vine. 

Wine! hie! will cure 'most anything, 

Except to cure my thirst. 
It gives disgusto while I sing. 
That empty is my purse. 
Hie! Hie! Avo! Avoa! 
To Bacchus and the vine. 

Wine never was a headache cure, 
But good for squirms or shakes. 
It's awful good to cause a snore, 
See adders crawl — and snakes. 
Hie! Hie! Avo! Avo-al 
To Bacchus and the vine. 

Now it is late, T scarce can prate, 

Or follow my own nose — 
I find wine, will intoxicate 
May-hap, turn up my toes. 
Hie! Hie! Avo! Avoa! 
To Bacchus and the vine. 

'Neerean now tho" thou sing or prate, 

'Nd ril just hold the bottle. 
Wine surely will, e\aporate. 
If out is left the stopple. 
Hie! Hie! Avo! Avoa! 
To Baeehvis and the vine. 

Dizzy became Anacreon and gag'd and strove to 
vomit forth a swallow'd seed from his mellow throat, 
but stumbling fell and broke the empty bowl. Tiletus, 
his fellow-mate, drunk, smear'd with lees, corpulent 
and red, sat riding- his Pegasus (an ass with wings), 
it should have been a horse ; it was neither ; it was a 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 87 

mixture (wings); it was his feet that flew at the 
striplings that tickled him behind ; but on Tiletus 
clung- to mane and tail, wearied out the kicker and 
wasn't thrown, tho' bareback'd was the mule. 

Then to their separate tents they did depart, wearied 
with their own folly, whilst others sought the less 
frequented groves to feast it out among the revelers. 

" With the dancers and the dicers, and the * * '^" 
Plato check'd himself and said, " The horses and the 
chariot races closed without a broken bone or dislo- 
cation." Then, with more serious face continued, as 
tho' returning to the Theme of Tragedy : 

" Oh, ill-hap, that where the Bacchi pitched their 
tents Orpheus should be found ! Orpheus thought 
himself a lone, wreck'd sailor — sail and chart and 
comrade's gone, lash'd to a broken helm in a bound- 
less sea — drenched — saw the vivid bolts of X'ulcan 
pierce the gloom, as tho' Xeptune and Pluto wrangled 
for precedence with angry Boreas roaring ; himself in 
chaos, doom pending. 

" The exhausted body a strange effect produced, 
the cloudy mind was clearing — the climax came, for 
a ray of reason had come to him — ' Great Jupiter 
was kind ! ' 

" From that doubt, that agony of regained reason, 
he sank upon a stone exhausted, with hands buried 
beneath his face to further reassure himself of his 
existence; and then, arising, like a wounded Greek, to 
battle still. 

" He felt the walls of his abode exclaiming, ' These 
are rocks ; is it not so ? I was in a storm ; a ship-de- 
stroying storm; Pm not at sea! this is not the Argo ! 
Yet this I know, that whene'er this mortal dies the 
part Immortal will be received among the Gods ! ' 

"He heard the discordant shouts without — of the 



88 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

Bacchanalian revelers — and thought of the doomed 
in Tartarus. He would prepare (he was preparing) 
for a celestial voyage ; happy faces flit along the way ; 
he would leave this cave and take the voyage ; he had 
fought his last battle unwounded ; peace to him had 
come — he was sane — no face was half so tranquil — 
homeward bound, his log written, ready to report. 
He had within himself premonitions of approval ; he 
heard a familiar voice call him ; he had heard that 
voice before in dreams bid him to follow — so certain 
was he that she spoke that he aloud replied, ' Eury- 
dice. I come ! I come ! ' 

" He is conscious of his surroundings ; he is chill, 
for he drew the fragments of his garments close 
around \\\n\ and questioning, sadly sang: — 

Tune: "Robin Adair." 

Why in this cave am I, 

My friend not here: 

Good Jason did not die, 

Let him appear! 

Where is the jovial crew. 

So prompt his will to do, 

I would that I but knew 

They were so dear! 

Where is Eurydice, 

My own betrothed? 

Where, say? if dead she be, 

Is her abode? 

Why was I rent with pain, 

I remember it again? 

Her absence turned my brain, 

I had lost the road. 

" Music of Terpsichore, with laugh and scream and 
voice of woman in delirium, their Bacchanalian shout 
comes verv near. He had not been disturbed within 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 89 

his cave until they entered, and found him there. It 
was a discovery where search would seem in vain. 
For a moment there was mutual astonishment ; they 
stared at him and drew back, and then boldly in num- 
bers entered and drag-g-ed him forth, exclaiming ' 'Tis 
Orpheus ! ' weak and unsightly as he was they clung 
upon him, maudlin ; they bade him play upon his harp 
again as was once his wont and forte. ' Play, play ! ' 
they screamed. ' and we will dance and raise Baal- 
phegor,' but he heeded not, and when persuasion 
failed and threat had no effect — 

" He thus addressed them : ' Seest thou not that I 
am not, of thy company. Intrude not upon a recluse, 
a man of sorrow ! But would'st thou have man be- 
lieve thv virtues, his above — he notes thy constant 
journevs to the shrines, even to Diana's ! Listen, oh 
listen ! To teach his children thou wert given, to 
gentlv guide them to Elysium or earthly happiness, 
whilst he at plough or mart or sea, toils to obey the 
divine decree cheerily ! ' 

He feels repaid when he discerns, 
Maternal care when he returns; 

Would'st thou to virtue lead thy child. 

Be not with drunkenness defiled — 
Let evil wine ne'er stain thy lip. 
For virtue's feet it oft doth trip. 

Then — lost to modesty and shame. 

What charm can wipe away the stain. 
Each lewd masked tempter will arise, 
And thy loose wallowing despise — 

In ribald sport, mock and disclose. 

Thy shame — thy weakness all expose. 
Belie\-e — no rose-lip'd Bacchant maid. 
Can guard her charms if thus arrayed. 

No reeling fumed inebriate she. 

Can claim Diana's purity. 
The sweet emetic is a tempting snare. 
That leads to shame — to death- — beware! 



90 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

" They had gather'd as hounds around a wounded 
deer, with eyes aflame at close of hunt, at scent of 
blood, for he had scarce closed his good advice — 
faith and belief in woman (advice well meant), ere 
they sprang upon him — spat in his face, were furious ; 
tore his hair, stript him wnth their claws and threw 
him to the earth — tugged at either arm with drunkard 
strength ; and he, of whom 'twas said fear'd not man, 
was in their delirious clutch, powerless as a wounded 
warrior in the midst of hungry wolves, and like the 
wolves they bayed at him, saying :^ — 

"'Who was Philomela? Pure as Diana! ravished 
by Tereus ; ' another cried ' Who was Helena! (beauti- 
ful as Venus) abducted by Paris ; ' another cried out 
'Who was fair Dido (a deceived Diana) by yEneas 
deserted;' ' Wlio tuneful Sappho (delight of Diana 
in song) deceived by faithless Phaon ; ' and with 
shriek, they cried '\Mio tore Eurydice from Diana's 
shrine ? — 'twas Orpheus ! " And Orpheus heard their 
several indictments against man and was silent, but 
when he was himself arraigned his tears well'd up, 
and faintly he replied, 'Woman ! in this thou art false ! 
false as thou art cruel I' Then Circe struck him witli 
her sickle and he bled — resistance none was offered, 
except in words — 'Shame Dione thou art false as 
Fabula — Bacchi revelers do not thyselves unsex. 
Would'st thou find mercy, be * * * while he was 
yet speaking Debauche press't her hands upon his 
mouth until he ceased to breathe — as wasps upon a 
bare-neck'd boy they with obeluses pierced him. 

" Mercy ! in a shoal of sharks a drowning sailor 
finds none; they hack him, they tear his limbs, and 
another Adonis dies. They had suck'd the blood of 
the grape as vampires till demoniac they became. 




DEATH OF ORPHEUS. 

(By permission of Gebbie & Co., PliiladelpUia, I'a.) 



ORPHEUS AND EURVDICE. 91 

" But such as they had often looked with sensual 
eyes upon him ; displayed in vain their charms in 
varied temptings — semi-modest. They called him 
in derision 'Narcissus, in love with his own shadow/ 
Midas' daughters had glittered their finery, taunted 
him with words unseemly. They, knew not love ! 
They derided the name of Love and flung their taunts 
and mockings at him. Strip'd the leaves from his 
faded trophies and flung them in the Lotus pond. 
Some, but oh, how few, were there who felt one pity- 
ing pang as they saw his torn and lifeless form. 

" The Dryades oi the woods fled in terror, for Mel- 
pomene had closed the Tragedy. 

" Jason had been apprised but came too late. He 
tenderly raised him from the earth and bore away 
his body. 

" Shade of harmonious Orpheus ! As the dial by 
clouds obscured no more doth tell where it was shone 
upon, we miss thy light, but time nor sun has not 
efifaced the memory of thy love and gentle life. 

" Where are the Bacchi and their orgies ? Re- 
morse's memories flash'd athwart their path with their 
annoy, and they have perished in their lair. They rot 
in the earth as drones and gluttons inglorious, and are 
forgotten, and are, as tho' they had not been. 

" The morrow came ; then the Oracles unloosed 
their tongues. The Muses have come forth to herald 
for all time the loves of Orpheus and Eurydice. Their 
joint and glorious fame in their LTnsuUied Love. 

" They made his tomb — design'd his statue for 
Minerva's Temple — its colossal figure stands con- 
spicuous. 

" Jason, his constant, latest friend, rendered his 
eulogy in recognition of his worth, his perfections, his 
manhood and his faith in Divine love ; '' that Plato in 



92 A GRECfAN TRAGEDY. 

brief repeated as " Our ideal man — one like unto 
Orpheus there is none." 

"Euterpe and her choir of friends were there; she 
sang- a dirge in which they joined at close of each re- 
frain. "Twas of joyous import, tho" in solenm meter 
rendered ; — 



A DIRGE TO ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 

No! they are not dead, 
What e'er our lips have said. 
Let not your hearts be sad. 
They have risen! from the dead! 
Rejoice, rejoice! They have risen from the dead! 

Orpheus and Eurydice! 
Our memories doth again 
Revivify thy name, 
For as lovers we rejoice 
At the never-ending fame. 
Rejoice, rejoice! At thy never-ending fame! 

Now endless be thy love. 
For love can never die. 
This we on earth believe. 
Thy souls can never grieve — 
But sing and praise eternally, 
Great Jupiter above. 
Rejoice, rejoice! They never more can grieve! 

Inheritance Divine! 
Greater gain than olive crown. 
To gain Elysium! 
Love divine, thy faith will meet, 
x\nd thy betrothal be complete; 
Where parting is unknown. 
Rejoice, rejoice! They have gained Elysium. 

" Erato and other gentle poets say ; ' Philomela 
sings nightly at his tomb in remembrance of his sweet 



ORFHErS AX!> RrRYDICE. 



93 




lOMIi OF ORI'IIHIS. 



94 



A GRECIAN TRAGEDY 



songs : " Birds of unpretentious plume, sing on ; thy 
notes, tho' wordless, are fond comfort to innocent ears 
— to those who love — sing to them. They are now 
omniscient where such symphonies are heard in con- 
tinuous change, that never cloy as they flow and echo 
through fields Elysian, where bliss is most complete. 




He is thine, Eurydice ; to thyself take him! All lovers 
say amen ! 

" Thev have found that realm, doubtless, where the 
human and divine are happily conjoined. The schools 
cannot solve its near or distant sphere — 'tis too pro- 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 95 

found for man yet not beyond belief — Great Jupiter ! 
confirm our faith in its reality, make glad the earth, 
let it be fruitful ; ripple waters to the ocean, bear our 
ships of commerce. Come bud and blossom, herb and 
flower and add thy joy ! fields with thy grain the har- 
vest bring, and man give thanks and praise. Creatures 
thy natures satisfy ; sing, feed, bound and live, thine 
is an evanescent day, brief and to pass away. But 
for man the continuous harmonies of Divine Love live 
on — live on ! for whom ? 

" It was announced, and reason doth approve, ' The 
wicked shall be, in futurity, as tho' they had not been ; 
but the pure in heart shall never die." Dost thou com- 
prehend?" And many hands in afBrmative were 
raised. 

Thus continued he to philosophize on Immortality 
to the close of his lecture. This ' reading from 
ITomer,' saying in peroration: "I would not have that 
belief from my mind removed for all the world ! " 

Then arose Socrates (the wise) commenting on 
the poem (in epilogue) and the thoughts involved said : 
' Except Great Jupiter himself, your gods and god- 
desses are inferior things, have no soul, are not divine 
— unworthy they of worship are. Less than mortal 
have mere semblance ; shadows of deformities that 
with the light vanish as fiction and darkness before 
the font of Truth and Light, think no more of them, 
they recede to Erebus. 

'If it were possible that a perfect man should come 
to the earth and vile would destroy him.' 

He then, with upraised face, in supplication said : 

'Father Jupiter! Give us all good whether we ask 
it or not, and avert from us all evil, tho' we do not 
pray thee to do so. Bless all our good actions and 
reward them with success and happiness ! ' 



96 A GRECIAN TRAGEDY. 

The envious and sanctimonious who taught and 
controhed at the shrines and temples expressed their 
dissent of the comments of Socrates, saying : ' Thou 
art a false teacher, a corrupter of youth,' and abruptly 
left the Lyceum. 

Then the youthful students, full of admiration, 
press't forward to grasp his hand, and to praise and 
thank Plato for his rendition of the poem. 

The ladies smiled graciously upon him : some in 
the midst of the story shed tears, others courtesied low, 
and all from the Lyceum departed, to sleep and dream 
of Orpheus and Eurydice. 

JOHN PENNIE, JR. 
Albany, N. Y. 



Note. — The doctrine of the Immortality of the soul is 
fully given by Plato in the Phaedo. A dialogue that con- 
tains a philosophic discussion, with a graphic narrative of 
the last hours of Socrates and his friends, that in pathos 
and unaffected dignity surpass any other human composition 
extant. 



INDEX. 



Mytliological and Historical. 



Abraiii, of Hebrew history, 66. 
Academy. Plato's school at Athens, 61. 
Achilles. Greek warrior slain by Paris. 

41. 76. 
Acratus, the genius of drunkards. 84. 
Acropolis, rock-citadel of Athens, 44. 
Adonis, a young hunter admired by 

Venus, 90. 
Adam, first man in Hebrew history, 69. 
^Egeau. sea of the Cyclades, 80. 
JSgon. boxer at the Olympian games, 

80. 
^■Esculapius. physician of the Argo, 

57. 
J2neas, he who deserted Dido. 30. 
Alexander the Great, pupil of Aris- 
totle, V. 
Altis, place of statues of victors of 

the games, 45. 70. 
Alecto-Alropes. of the furies, 82. 
Amphitrite. wife of Neptune. 65. 
Anaereon. lyric poet, of love and 

wine, 8(). 
Arena, grounds of the (Olympic 

games, 42, 71. 
Andromaf"he. wife of Hector, 76. 
Apollo, god of song, son of Jupiter 

and Latona. 4. 70. 77 
Archons, sheriffs, judges at Athens. 

18, 25 
Ark, b-irge from the flood, 511. 
Arcadia, place of contentment, .50. 
Areopagites, .judges over sixty years 

of age, 19, 20. 37. 
Argo, first merchant warship 6, 8, 65, 

87. 
Argonauts, sailors and princes of the 

Argo. 40, 65. 
Athena, the divinity of Athens, 14, 47, 

66, 68. 
Atticas, feast of Bacchus, 78. 
Athene capitol of the Grecian states, 

5, 46, 78. 
Atlantis, a former large island in the 

Atlantic, 65, 72. 
Autumuus, god of fruits and harvest, 

43. 79. 
Avo. Avoh. hurrah I 85. 
Avu-ora, goddess of morning, 1, 24, 51, 

72. 

Baal-Pheg' r, an ancient deity, 89. 
Bacchi, female followers of Bacchus, 

90. 
Bacchus, god of the grape and wine, 

55, 78, 79. 83. 87. 90 
Bacchanalian feast, 88. 
Banquet, by Jason on the Argo. 30. 
Bapta, a sea nymph, 63, 

7 97 



Barge, boat from Athens to Delos, 7. 
Belloiia, goddess of war bluster, 78, 

81. 
Betrothal, Eurydice to Orpheus, 16, 

3S. 
Boreas, ruler of the winds, 5, 61. 67, 87. 
Bubona, goddess of oxen, 78. 
Buffoons, clowns in comedy, 82. 

Cadmus, inventor of the language, 

41. .57. 61. 
Caliope, mother of Orpheus; muse of 

heroic poetry, 3. 
Ceres, goddess of agriculture, 64. 66. 
Cerberus, guard at Hades, 60, 68, 73. 
Circe, an enchantress, 90. 
Charon, ferryman at the river Styx, 

Cloris, admirer of flowers: deflner. 6. 

Colchis, a kingdom on the Euxine, 38, 
41, 55. 

Confession to Venus, 11. 71. 

Conco dia. goddess of peace, .55. 

Crete. 61 . 

Cupid, son of Venus; god of love, 9, 
17. 72. 73. 

Cybele. mother of earth; wife of 
Saturn, 47. .50. 

Cyclops, workman of Vulcan; one- 
eyed, 56. 

Cyclades. islands of the sea surround- 
ing Delos. 10. 

Comusand Momus, genius of comedy, 
30. 

Convent, shrine of Diana, at Delos. 21. 

Danube, the great river. 1. 

Dawn of Brightness. "Euridice," .54. 

Delia. Greek name of Diana. 

Diana, goddess of chastity, 4. 7, 18, 

19, 21. ,50, 68, 89, 90. 
Delian festival, held at Delos, 10. 
Dido, deserted by ^■Eneas, 90. 
Delos. island shrine of Diana and 

Apollo, 4, 7, 12, 18, 48. 
Deucalion, he who was preserved 

from th- flood, 51. 
Dione, a debauche, 90. 
Dirge. 54, 92. 
Diagorus, he who died with excess of 

joy, 46. 
Deer-hvmf. song, 16. 
Driope, one of the conceded beauties, 

.53. 70. 
Doric, plain; architecture 54. 
Doric, 11 usical; peculiar accent, 24, 

45. 
Doves, sacrificial offerings to E'iana, 

27, .59, 64. 



98 



INDEX. 



Dryacles. nymphs of woodlands, 91. 
Draco, a severe lawgiver. 39. 
L>ivine decree, labor for man, 89. 

Echo, in love for Narcissus, 51, .'57. 
Eden. Hebrew history, TO. 
Elis. a place nf shrinrs. 47. 
Elysian v ields, heavenly walks, 68, 7G. 
Elysfum. place of bliss' 4, 35, 66. 89, 94 
Enchanted Isles of the sirens, 36. 
Endymean, a shepherd who proposed 

to Juno, 75. 87. 
Epithalaniium. song to Diana, for 

permission to marry, 38. 
Epicuerus, purser of the Argo, 32. 
Erebus, son of Chaos: night, 95. 
Erato, muse of love-songs. 55, 70, 92 
Eu ine, the Black sea, 39 
Eurydice ("Dawn of Day"'), novice 

of Diana's, 6. 7. 9, 21, 38, 46, 51, 55, 

56, 58, 68, 75. 88, 91, 94. 
Evan, Evoa, well done: hurrah, 83 
Euterp-, the muse presiding over 

music, 98. 
Evadne, who died on the pyre of 

Capaneus, 51. 
Elopement, 15. 
Eulogy, 92. 

Fabula, goddess of fiction, 90. 
Fame, aim of the ambitious, 7. 
Fates, presiding over destiny, 10, :TO, 

40. 51 . 
Felicitas, goddess of happiness. 43 
Flora, goddess of Mowers, 24, 43, 60 
Funeral, described, of Eurydice, 48 

Galli Priests, eunuchs, 48. 

Graces, attendants of the muses, 43, 
70. 

Greek. 87 

Golden Fleece, commercial gain: con- 
quest, vii. 

Hades, reg'on of the dead: Tartarus, 

.52, 69, 72, 75. 

Hecatompedon, old temple of Mi- 
nerva, 37. 

Helen, wife of Menelius. 60, 68, 90. 

Hellenes, people of Greece and colo- 
nies, 20. 

Hellespont, the Dardanels; passage 
to the Euxine sea, 51. 

Hehrevi', Eve and the forbidden fruit. 
66. 

Hermes, inventor of the lyre, 77. 

Hercules, the powerful son of Jupiter 
and Alcmena, 61 

Hero, priestess of Venus, lover of 
Leander, .57, 77. 

Heliots, hired troops, 79. 

Homer and Hesiod, ancient poets. 37, 
66, 67, 95 

Hector, son of Priam. 76. 

Home, song by Orpheus passing the 
Siren isles 35. 65 

Hecuba, wife of Priam. 76. 

Hippona, goddess of horses. 82. 

Hunter's song, by Diana's nymphs. 13. 

Hymn to Neptune. 31. 



Hymen, presiding over marriages of 
love, 4. 

lambio, measure of poetry, 73. 
Immortality, cont nued existence, .54, 

87, 95. 
Imperator, Jupiter; deity, 56. 
Inebriates, cannot claim Diana's 

purity. 89. 
Iris, a pretty companion of Juno's, 53. 
Ionic, style of architecture, 45. 

Jastin, captain of the Argo; friend 

of Orpheus, 14. 18, 20, 30, 36, 41, 51, 

55. 64, 73. 
Job, 73. 
Jov, a lament: of its brevity on earth, 

33. 
Judgment day, funeral song to 

Eurydice, 49, 54. 
Jupiter-Zeus, son of Saturn and 

Terra. 3. 10 61. 66. 73. 
Jupiter, brother of Neptune, Pluto 

and Juno, 87. 92, 95. 
Judges, the Athenian "Areopagites," 

Juno, wife of Jupiter, 3, 68. 

Latona, loved by Jupiter; mother of 

Diana and Apollo, 9, 12. 
Leander. lover of Hero, 76. 
Lethe, the river to Hades, .52, 69. 
Laverok, the lark. 59. 
Lavarna, the goddess of thieves, 36. 
Lycurgus. a lawgiver. 39. 
Love, affection: supreme passion, 24, 

25, 32, 71, 74. 
Luna, the moon; Diana in heaven, 76, 

Lyceum, Gymnasium; school at 

Athens, 9(). 
Lament for the disappointed, 33. 

Matrons, teachers at the shrine of 
Diana, 28 86. 

Mars, god of war, 4, 19, 47, 64, 80. 

Marriage IdyL song to Diana for per- 
mission to wed, 26. 32. 

Mausoleum, 70. 

Medea, wife of Jason; princess of 
Colchis, 40. 

Mentor, a wise adviser. 77. 

Mercurv, messenger of the gods, 80. 

Menelaus, husband of Helen, 60. 

Mermaids, sirens of the sea; daugh- 
ters of Phcebe, 62. 

Midas, a gold-seeker; a miser. 95. 

Minerva, goddess of wisdom and jus- 
tice, 80, 21, 43, 80, 91. 

Menotaur, a fabled monster, 55, 69. 

Milo a famous wrestle , SO. 

Moon. Luna; Diana in heaven, 77. 

Melpomene, h use of tragedy, 48. 79, 
91. 

Momus, god of wit and raillery, 82. 

Morpheus, god of sleep, dreams and 
visions, 7.5. 

Mutes, officers and watchers at 
funerals, 48. 



INDEX. 



99 



Muses, mistresses of the sciences, 43, 

70, 93, 91. 
Music, harmoniou.s sounds, 69. 
Muta. goddess of silence, 43, 79. 
Moses. Hebrew liistorian, 4.5. 
Mystic Hymns, 7. 

Naeiiia, she who delights in funeral 

songs. 48, 54, 67. 
Narcissus, a youth who loved his 

shadow, 57, 91. 
Neptune, god of seas and oceans, 5, 

34, 41. 65, 72, 89. 
Neriades, nymphs of the rivers and 

streams. 71, 76. 82. 
Novices, pupils of the shrine of 

Diana. 21, 49. 
Nymphs, sprites of woods and waters. 



Odeum, theatre at Athens. 1. 
Olivo crown, chief award at the 

Olympic games. 43. 60, 68, 95. 
Olympus, meeting-place of the gods, 

12. 
Olympiad, fourth year measure of 

time, 7. 
Olympic games, gymnasium of the 

Greeks, 2, 37, 47, 70. 
Oreides, children of fields and 

meadows. 29 
Orpheus, son of Caliope; lover of 

Eurydice, 4 19,44. 48, 51, 64, 70, 72. 

87, 90. 93. 96. 
Oracles, wise sayings of those in 

authority, 50, 81. 
Orythia. Queen of the Amazons, 82. 

ParHllelograiii, form of Tabernacle 
of Moses, 45. 

Pan, a noisy musician, 85. 

Paris, son of Priam; eloped with 
Helc n, 9, 76, 90. 

Parnassus, mountain of the muses. 

Parthenon, temple of Minerva, 44,47. 

Pegassus a winged horse. 86. 

Penelope guardian friend of Eury- 
dice, 17, 19, 22. 26. 30. 48. 

Peplus, a shawl; a large veil, 22. 

Phaon, a prince (false to Sappho), 77, 
90. 

Phaeton, a wild son of Sols, 46. 

Phcebe, daughter of Neptune and 
Terra, 63. 

Pha?do. an extant work of Plato's, 96. 

Hiilamon, inventor of the harp, 77. 

Philomela, the nightingale, 52, ,58, 77, 
90, 92. 

Phideas, a famous sculptor, 37, 47, 62. 

Piracy, robbery by land or sea, 19, 23. 

Pirfeu-, seaport at Athens 7. 64. 

Plato, pupil of Socrates 36, 61. 

Pluto, brother of Jupiter, god of 
Hades. 47 51, 53, 66, 70, 76, 81, 87, 91, 
94, 96. 

Polyxena, daughter of Priam, saci- 
ficed to Achilles, 76. 

Priam, King of Troy. 76. 

Promises, in Venus" courts are bind- 
ing. 23. 55. 



Priestpsses, temple superiors, 18. 
Prec- ptress. teachers at the shrine of 

Diana, 18. 
Psalm to Jupiter by Orpheus, .39. 
Psyche, goddess of pleasure, 53. 
Prytaneum, t all of entertainment, 45. 
Prcserpiue, wife of Pluto, .55. 66. 
Proteus, teacher at the Academy, 46. 

Religloii. 18. 21, 23. 
Rhodes, a famed island Greek school, 
45, 61 . 

Sacrilege, a religious offence, 19, 23. 
Sacrificial oflfering, doves to Diana, 5, 

Sappho, famous singer and composer 

of love-songs, (il, 77, 90. 
Saturn, parent of Jupiter, Juno. Nep- 
tune and Pluto, 
Serpent, sting of; figure of speech. 

for death. M. 
Sisterhood, novices of Diana, 25, 47. 
Sirens tempters to evil, 63. 
Sophocles, dramatic poet, 46. 
Socrates, philosopher; instructor of 

Plato. 34, 95, 96. 
Sibyls, virgins who care for the sacred 

fires, 35. 
Salvage, shares of ship captures and 

cargoes, 41. 
Sanctum, a quiet place of worship, 

47, 48. 
Semele. mother of Bacchus, 55, 82 
Stipulation, dream agreement of 

Orpheus with Pluto, 55. 
Styx, river, 60. 
Students, or the Academy, friends of 

Orpheus, 1, 96. 
Sonnets, Orpheus' Hymns to the 

Gods. 4. 
Somnus, god of sleep. 75. 
Solon, wisf lawgiver. 61. 
Slattern, untidy woman. 31. 
Spartan, 68 76, 80. 

Tasita, goddess of brevity; silence, 
43. 79 

Tabernacle, like in form to the Par- 
thenon, 45. 

Talemon, 61 

Tartarus, Hades: Pluto's realm, 56, 
69, 88. 

Teaiples, places of worship, 33 

Tempe, a beautiful valley and grove, 
37 57. 

Tereus, 90. 

Thal-a-me-polos, goodmother of mar- 
riages, 22. 

Theseus, 41,61. 

Tamanitf, a disputer with Job, 73. 

Terpsichore, muse of dancing, 7, 38. 

Tiletus, a boozy companion of Bac- 
chus, 81. 

Tipphis, pilot of the Argo, 33. 

Tomb of Orpheus, 93 

Tritons, Neptune's trumpeters, 66,82. 

Treaties. 24. 

Trial of Orpheus before the Areo- 
pagites, 23. 



L.ofC. 



lOO 



iNDEX. 



Tragedy, theme most alarming, 87, 91. 
Tintinabula, sanctum-bell, 49. 

Urania "Veim.s, muse of astronomy, 

14, 75. 
Ulysses, sailor on the Argo, 32. 

Venus, goddess of love, mother of 

Cupid, 7, 11, 14, 53, 68, 73. 
Voluna, goddess of laziness, 36. 53. 
Vixen, a pert female, 31. 
Vulcan, Pluto's workman, 53, 72, 87. 



Vision, phantasm; a much-disturbed 

dream, 52. 
Vow, taken by the novices of Diana, 

16, 19 

Warders, guards of the shrines, 58. 
Widow's Lament, harangue against 

war and Mars, 80. 
Wrestlers, performers at the Olympic 

games, 81. 

Zeus, deity; Jupiter. 4, 55. 



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